Act Nine: The Final Tokugawa

Aha, so this is what you were talking about. You were not kidding when you said it looks suspicious!

So, now what do we do? ...Are you gonna cut it down?

No, I cannot do that without risking dire consequence.

This Ooku is built out of people from Edo Castle and Chaldea, is it not?

Correct, but I am pretty sure they were atomized or broken down into the smallest possible components before being used to construct this place.

They were not physically bonded together or anything like that...

...so it is not as though you will kill whoever was used to make that wall if you cut it down.

Then that is what I will do.

(He wasted not a second after deciding to act...!)

D-did it work?

...

I-I'm afraid it doesn't look like anything's changed.

But that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your technique, Yagyu. It just proves that this wall has been treated with some kind of special seal.

How dispiriting. My skills must have atrophied considerably since I was alive if I can no longer cut through dark arts of this ilk.

!?

Okay, let me see. So that works like this, and this goes like... Hmm hmm. Hmm hmm. Wait, what is this!?

？！

Hehehe. Are you worried? Do not be!

Mash and I have been brimming with nervous energy ever since we lost our connection earlier.

At this point, there is nothing we cannot handle!

There is definitely something different about this place compared to the others. It is almost like a giant "Keep out!" sign.

But, after scanning it thoroughly, I can see that it has a small hole.

A hole with a very specific function. Namely, a keyhole.

？！

That is because it is a conceptual-slash-magecraft hole that has been hidden very cunningly. I am sure it is impossible to find with the naked eye.

It looks like this keyhole is designed to accommodate a long, thin catalyst, like a card.

And of course, that card would have to possess energy capable of interfacing with this Ooku, so

This might not make much difference, but you're talking about those hanafuda cards, right?

Right. One card alone will surely not be enough, but as you insert more and more of them...

...I think their energy will be directly converted into an unsealing program.

I see. Then I'm glad we took Kiara's advice and collected them.

We're still no closer to figuring out exactly what these cards are, though.

？！

Agreed. We've been investigating numerous hypotheses on our end too, but we haven't found anything conclusive yet.

They've been a big help to us so far, so I don't think they're malicious, but...

Unlike the pillboxes, they do not seem as though they ever served any purpose.

All we know for certain is that they contain pure energy with properties identical to the Ooku. It is almost as though they exist solely to counteract it.

At this point, I'm just glad to hear we can use them to break this seal and keep moving forward. Now let's go!

Well this place is clearly nothing like the others.

I'll say. It looks like some kind of foundation? It kind of reminds me of the backstage area at a theater, since it obviously isn't meant to be seen by guests.

Now then, what do you see over there?

Ah! Everyone, check out that large pillar thing in the middle! Do you see that hollowed-out section!?

It's huge...!

But look, this terminal has assimilated itself into the pillar. It cannot move far from that spot.

Hi there, Ms. Attendant! I don't suppose you're the shogun we're looking for, are you?

Hmm, guess my skills weren't enough to let us talk to it. So that would mean...

It is a bit heavy-handed, but I believe we have no choice but to defeat it.

If this attendant is like all the others who were carrying pillboxes that you've defeated...

...then she must be an anchor that Kama no longer has a use for.

I do not think attacking her, or removing her from the pillar, will have any effect on the Ooku itself.

It would have been a lucky break for us if we could damage the Ooku by fighting her...but never mind that.

Our goal right now is to acquire Lord Yoshinobu's pillbox. If you have to take her out to get it, then do so!

The battle is over. I can confirm that the enemy has dropped a pillbox!

？！

Well? What's it say?

"Yoshinobu"... This would indeed seem to be the one we are after.

Not so fast. We still have not yet verified if we are on the right track. I will go ahead and scan it now. Scanning...scanning...

Hmm. No signs of Mental Corruption, no spiritual traps... It would appear to be safe. That said...

Is something wrong?

As a mage from the Atlas Institute, I am ashamed to say this but there is still a lot I do not know about this Tokugawafication.

The fact is, it is a completely new concept, so we still do not have an accurate way of measuring it.

So I cannot deny that there is a possibility that these shogun pillboxes may induce unforeseen side effects.

According to Kama, Tokugawafication is due to the corruption that occurs as a result of making one's way through this labyrinth...

...but that does not necessarily mean that is the only way it can happen...

To be clear, I am not saying this to worry you.

I just thought I should let you know that I cannot absolutely guarantee that this pillbox is safe.

？！

Yes, you are right. In the end, this is our only option.

I do get the sense that our choices have been narrowed down artificially, but still, the Ooku is the enemy's territoryor rather, the enemy herself.

It only makes sense that the odds would be stacked against us. We will just have to focus on doing what we can at this point in time.

So on that note, let's go ahead and add this new pillbox to your Mystic Code!

And do not worry. This will not harm the soul of the shogun inside, just like it did not hurt the other souls!

I'm picking up a new and unusual wavelength.

It has the opposite magecraft phase of the wavelength we saw when you were delving into the Ooku!

Good. That means it has Anti-Tokugawa properties...

If we tweak it a little more, we might be able to make it more potent and convert it into a spell you can wear.

Think of it as a kind of Anti-Tokugawa coating.

That's perfect! This is exactly what we've been looking for!

This will make our deaths that much less likely... Thank goodness...

This is good news, yes, but there is one thing missing that would have made it even better:

An ability to completely rid Fujimaru of his existing Tokugawafication.

You mean it can't do that?

Unfortunately not. I still do not have nearly enough time or data to analyze it thoroughly.

All we can really do with that pillbox at this point is reuse what is inside it for our own purposes.

And since it is better suited for outward-facing uses, I think that using it defensively...

...namely, a barrier that can keep Kama from exerting her influence any further, is our best bet.

Think of it as a way to stop her from flipping the switch that makes things worse.

Oh, and I think we should also be able to condense it into a projectile attack, like Gandr.

？！

...

You do not care for this plan, Lady Fuku?

Well, I can't truthfully say I don't have concerns about it.

But, as I've said many times by now, rescuing Lord Iemitsu comes first. If this is the only way to do so, then I'll happily go along with it!

Now, as your acting wet nurse, I have a question for you children, and I want you to answer it honestly!

...Will this let us win?

？！

...I can't give you any guarantees. All I can say for sure is that this gives us a fighting chance.

I've analyzed every means of fighting back that we have at our disposal, and I'd say we have a fifty percent chance of winning... Maybe less...

I see. Thank you for telling me the truth, Lady Mash.

I may have let Lady Par handle the fighting, but I still saw what you are up against myself.

I know that this enemy poses an unimaginably dire threat.

You are all clearly aware that you could die if you face her again...yet you are still determined to go back.

I know that you all have your reasons for doing so, but I cannot let you risk your lives on a million to one chance.

I cannot just stand back and let people as young as you throw your lives away.

So as your acting wet nurse who has led you this far, please...don't make this choice lightly.

？！

We do have a chance of victory.

Of that much I am certain now that we have acquired this inrou.

So long as there is such a chance, we will not fail to seize it.

And so there can be no chance of defeat for us.

!?

I was careless in our earlier battle, and the enemy took me by surprise. But this time, Master will be ready to fight.

And if he is willing to fight, I would dishonor everything Bushido stands for if I did not ensure his victory.

As such, I will not lose. Period.

？！

That's right. Master will not be fighting alone. As his Servants, we will be right there by his side.

When Master gains a new ability, it does not necessarily follow that we only gain one ability ourselves in turn.

We could gain ten new abilities, or even a hundred. That is why we are here. That is our purpose.

What she said. No matter how much we might seem to be outmatched, we never go into a fight thinking we're going to lose.

So I'm sure we'll be fine!

...I see. Hehe. Well, if you're sure you're going to win, then I guess I was worried for nothing.

All that aside, Lord Munenori...

Hm?

I've only known you as Lord Iemitsu's instructor in warfare. I've never seen you fight a real battle before.

I suppose that mindset is shared by everyone who truly masters the sword as you have.

It was like listening to a child and a Zen dialogue all at once... Hehe, I couldn't help but laugh a bit.

I...see...

All that aside, I'm so sorry to have rained on your parade.

I guess I've become something of a worrywart in my old age.

It's all right, Tsubone. I understand how you feel. You were only worried about us because you're so kind.

But it's okay. You really don't have anything to worry about. I can also vouch for us all have every intention of winning this fight.

After all, this Anti-Tokugawa power isn't the only thing different we have going for us now.

We also have Sion, Mash, and their invaluable information.

Right. We'll do our best to make sure you walk into that sanctum ready for anything.

So don't worry! I think...no, I'm positive your next attempt will turn out differently!

What she said.

All right, it is almost time for the final battle. Let's do this thing!