Epilogue

...Beast III/L's signal has completely disappeared.

We really did it... We won, Master!

That we did. It was not easy by any means, but this was still a great victory!

I do not think my first case involving a Beast could have gone any better!

？！

Of course! In fact, I think you should see Escapee No. 1 right over there!

Nnn... No thank you. I couldn't eat another bite... (Zzz...)

Goredolf remained himself, which is why he is there now...

...but all the Servants and people in Edo Castle who were turned into materials for the Ooku should naturally go back to where they belong.

That goes for every shogun soul from those inrou too, of course.

I would be relieved to hear that...if the same thing wasn't happening to me, too.

Oh, but first, I found this thing inside the labyrinth's central support pillar. I think it's called a Holy Grail?

It looked important, so I pulled it out and brought it with me. I'm basically stuck to it right now.

Please, there's nothing to be sad about.

No, wait. I'm still your acting wet nurse, so maybe it's better if I give you one last scolding.

There's nothing to gain by parting ways in low spirits!

Goodbyes are meant to be said with a smile! ...Though of course, that's easier said than done, isn't it?

I'm the one who should be thanking you.

I could never have saved Lord Iemitsu and driven that harlot out of my Ooku without your help.

？！

I guess...this is goodbye then.

Hehe, well of course it is. I'm a soul. My time has already come and gone.

If it wasn't for all this, and if Lady Par hadn't extended her hand to me...

...I would have faded off to my inevitable eternal repose long ago.

...This has all been like a dream I've had right before ascending to Nirvana. I think it's better that it's over.

Now I don't have to worry about fixating on misplaced love, or cling to regrets about what might have been.

I can just...fall asleep.

Though I would like to ask Lord Munenori to handle the aftermath in my absence...

Forgive me. It would seem this is as far as I go. I must return to Chaldea Base before the rest of you.

These old bones are not what they used to be.

My, my, so even the great Yagyu Munenori cannot defeat old age, hm? I can't imagine Lord Iemitsu would be happy to hear that.

I don't mind you serving a new lord, but I won't have you abandoning your responsibilities!

I can almost hear Lord Iemitsu saying something like "I don't recall appointing a gutless coward as my instructor in warfare! I know there's nothing and no one you cannot defeat, Ryutan!"

You cut me to the quick.

？！

Thank you, Master.

So that's how Servants and Masters relate to one another, hm? What a strange idea... Hehe.

Why do you laugh?

Oh, it's nothing. I just had a funny thought.

I imagined what might happen if, by some quirk of fate...

...I were summoned with my naginata to fight by your side at Lord Fujimaru's behest.

I could even continue to raise him as his proper wet nurse...

I think I would enjoy an afterlife like that very much.

...Master, I should tell you now that Lady Fuku was much more than a wet nurse.

She was also an extremely talented martial artist, as befitting her Inaba and Saitou heritage.

I myself was inspired to create a few new Yagyu techniques after merely happening to see her spar with Lord Iemitsu a few times.

She is a truly remarkable woman.

Hehehe. Well, if I have your seal of approval, Lord Munenori, perhaps this isn't such a far-fetched dream after all.

All right then, I think I'll hold onto that hope, just in case.

Hey, even if her Spirit Origin is not strong enough to summon her normally, we have other ways to help with that nowadays.

Who knows? Maybe we will get to see her again, if not quite in the way we expect.

Hehehe. All right then, I think I'll hold onto that hope, just in case.

？！

I hope I'll get a chance to see you again someday, too.

After all, you and I were one and the same for quite a while.

At this point, I consider you a dear friend and roommate. Well, bodymate.

Lady Par...

Besides, I still have so many questions for you about raising children.

For example, how should I console my son after my husband chopped off his head and replaced it with an elephant's!?

Th-that...that is a lot! All right, I'll make sure to think of a good answer by the next time we meet!

Uh-oh, I don't think I have much time left. I'm sorry to have to rush this part...

Lady Mata Hari, Lady Scheherazade, I must thank you for all your help as well. Both of you, please take care!

Lord Fujimaru, I may not have any hands to pat your head anymore...

...but allow me this one last gesture, before I cease being your acting wet nurse altogether.

You are already such a good boy. As long as you stay on your current path, I know you'll go on to be a great man someday...

？！

Ahh... It looks like my time is well and truly up. Thank you again, everyone. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me.

I hope I can return the favor someday...

It would seem I too must take my leave. Please excuse me.

...All right. It is sad to say goodbye, but now that we have successfully recovered the Holy Grail, all that remains is

Oh, sorry. It looks like I have to go, too.

I think I have to rest for a while, since I used up everything I had to stop Kama...

Still, I was able to stop someone with my own face from causing all sorts of havoc. I'm happy with that.

Yes, well, I cannot blame you for being upset about a god from your pantheon with the same avatar as you turning into a Beast.

To be honest, I really didn't care for her, um...provocative outfit, either.

If I'd seen someone with the same body showing off that much skin anywhere else, I'd probably just pretend I hadn't...

But never mind that. I just remembered something important that's been nagging at me.

I'll do my best to hang on so I can tell you about it before I disappear.

？！

That being we fought WAS Kama, but her Mara side was much stronger.

That's why she was able to become Beast III.

But the thing is, that should be impossible.

Oh?

Mara is a demon god. Shiva and the other gods should have her under constant supervision...

Under normal circumstances, there's no way her particular Divinity should let her move about this freely, or let her strengthen her influence like that.

But, she was obviously able to, right? We all saw her turn into a Beast.

Right. That's exactly what's so strange about it. How did she evade Shiva's watchful eye?

Do you have any idea as to what might have happened? Perhaps some unusual circumstances that would allow for such a thing?

Hmm... I guess I can think of one possibility...

It could be that something is happening on Earth that's affecting all of India's pantheon...

India...

Now that you mention it, the very next Lostbelt we'll be heading to is the Indian one.

Could that have something to do with this?

I'm sorry, I can't say for sure yet. That would be my first guess, but a guess is all it is right now...

If India is your next destination, I would really like to go with you...

...but I'm afraid it looks like this is as far as I can go this time. I'm sorry.

I'll try to send someone else to help you instead, but...I don't know if anyone else will come...

？！

Not at all. I have to thank you too, Fujimaru.

Thanks to you, the threat posed by the Beast of Disaster has passed.

I know you still have other difficult problems, like the bleached Earth, the Lostbelts, and the Crypters...

...but knowing all of you, I have every faith you'll figure something out. Good luck! Please give it your all out there!

？！

I know you will, Senpai. And soon, Da Vinci and Holmes should be back, too.

O-of course, I'll do my best to help out too, for whatever that's worth.

So, I'm sure everything will work out! Somehow!

Oh, and we can't forget Sion, either. She proved yet again what an invaluable addition she is to our team!

Well, I have to admit that Kama outsmarted me almost every step of the way this time!

Anyway! I think I will go ahead and get ready to bring you all home.

Oh, and please do not forget to bring our, uh, "Lord" snoozing away over there when you come back.

I have to say, part of me is going to miss that topknot of his!

Hm hm hmm hm hmm♪

Ooh, that smells good. Hehe, whatcha making today?

Hey, you should know better than to sneak up on a cook like that. It's dangerous.

Besides, this is nothing special. It's just the same traditional Britannia-style stew I always make.

Well, I can't wait till it's ready. It feels like forever since I last had some.

I know I already said this before, but...thanks. For everything.

Aww, I barely did anything, you know?

Well, I'm still grateful to all of you...

...so I decided to cook up a storm for the first time in a while.

Now go on, give me some space until it's done.

Seriously, it's a good thing I was only holding a ladle. What if it had been a knife?

No more jumping on me from behind. Got it?

I did check that it was safe first... But, hehe, okay, maman.

I mean it, you know. What if one of the children saw you and decided to copy you when it wasn't safe

...And that is how the story goes.

Hm hm hm. There certainly were a lot of layers to that story. I knew that not just anyone could be a great ruler!

So, what about the other guy?

You still haven't told me what happened with him while all this was going down. I can't wait to find out!

...

I haven't, have I? Very well then, I will tell you what happened next. While all that was transpiring...

(...Huh? That's weird. I mean, I know I asked her to keep going...)

(...but this is usually the part where she says "That...is all for tonight.")

(Oh well! I'm not going to worry about it!)

(Maybe Scheherazade just feels like spinning more yarns tonight.)

(Whatever the case, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy my extra stories! Yay!)

Despite her cool outward demeanor...

...the storyteller was fiercely determined to make the most of the time she had fought to reclaim.

Oh no, did it just happen again!?

...

I thought listening to her stories would provide some good inspiration for my own writing...

...but I suppose I can do that just as well some other time.

There we go, I think that should do it. How's it look?

Quite good. This new firewall should ensure this sort of thing does not happen again.

Man, I thought I was prepared for this sort of thing.

I never in my wildest dreams imagined there was a Beast out there...

...who would attack us by brainwashing one of our staff and using them to control the Command Room.

There was no ingenuity, you know? It was just so simple that I guess in a way it tells us something about how naive Kama really is.

I clearly still have a ways to go before I catch up to my old self. But, I learned my lesson!

From now on, I'll make sure to prepare for any and every possible situation.

Even the ones I think are completely outlandish☆

Concurred. Still, on a personal note...I cannot help but be disappointed that I was forced to sit this case out.

This would have been an excellent chance for me to finally observe a Beast for myself...

...rather than simply read about it in Chaldea's records.

Oh? I didn't know administrative advisors were interested in Beasts, too. You do know that just looking at one wrong could give them a chance to start invading your Spirit Origin, right?

Not to worry. I always take every precaution when viewing something dangerous.

I certainly don't carry all these special lenses around with me to be fashionable.

...

Well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be this time.

Besides, it looks like Beast III takes advantage of such encounters to twist them to her own malicious ends.

True. The tremendous amount of argument I saw in this incident's combat records nearly took my breath away.

Just imagine, a battle that hinges entirely on the underpinnings of one's logic... Ahh, of all the cases for me to miss.

Thanks so much for taking care of this, Da Vinci. You too, Mr. Holmes.

I just made some tea if you're ready for a break. We even have some sakura mochi straight from Japan to go with it.

That sounds great! Thanks!

...Oh man, this is even better than I thought. It's got just the right amount of sweetness, and it's like the flavors are giving my whole mouth a hug!

Phew. Now I can finally get back to my regular duties.

Oh, are you all taking a coffee break? Would it be all right if I joined you?

Of course! Please, help yourself!

Mmm, this is very relaxing... Oh, by the way, there is something I have been wondering about.

...What is making that mechanical whirring I have been hearing all this time?

(Huff... Huff...)

Ah, now I see. (Munch, munch) Is that a hamster wheel-style generator? Or perhaps some sort of manual labor-based torture device?

Dammit, now you're eating sweet mochi right in front of me!? Ahh, calories... Sweet calories...

Hey! I see that running machine slowing down!

Come on, pick up the pace, Gordy! This should be no sweat, easy-peasy for you.

Why meee!

He reeeally let himself go during this latest excursion. Apparently, he was feasting like a king the whole time.

I ran a quick emergency physical on him after we all got back, and he ended up setting a new record: D- across the board.

So we have to at least get him back to where he was before all this went down, or it could end up affecting his ability to do his job.

The last thing we need is him suddenly being out of commission thanks to some lifestyle-related illness.

I see. So that is where this comes in?

That's right! You're looking at Da Vinci's Special Get Fit Quick program in action.

It's a little on the challenging side, but it'll be sure to have Gordy back to his old condition in three days.

Of course, dietary restrictions are part of the program too, Gordy, so don't plan on eating your fill anytime soon.

What!? But I've been looking forward to a bowl of stew ever since that tantalizing smell began wafting in here!

What do you expect? You already ate like a king for days on end.

Don't blame me. Blame the law of conservation of energy.

Grrr... Dammit all! This is exactly why I hate Rayshifts!

My, my, this is a surprise.

When I plucked out the pretty meteor I saw drifting off into space before it could burn up in a nearby star...

...I never expected it to actually be you.

...Huh?

What's going on? What the hell are you doing here?

This is my own inner universe. No one else should exist here unless I invite them in.

Oh my. Even in your own mind, you still subject yourself to the experience of burning alive in the sun. Color me impressed.

I am certainly no stranger to tormenting myself as I train, but even I would not go that far.

I suppose that is something only one with boundless love for humanity and no love for herself could do.

So you willingly incinerate yourself when you deem your purpose fulfilled? You remind me of a rabbit volunteering itself as food for a starving Buddha.

How could I possibly turn my back on you now that I have seen how pure and sordid your heart truly is?

Shut up. No, forget shutting up. Piss off and don't come back. All your little parables are just INFURIATING!

Oh, right. I remember now. I incinerated you with my own fire, didn't I?

That explains how you got in here.

You're like a patch of mold that just keeps spreading no matter how hard you scrub.

So what do you want? Are you here to laugh at me? Fine, go ahead.

You can see for yourself how much of a loser I am. I'm not good for anything anymore.

I'm sure you've already got a seat saved for you in the real world, since you're on the winning team and all.

You gain nothing by messing with me now.

Unless...you're here to absorb me as the yin to your yang, and become a more fully realized Beast III or something?

Don't be silly. You and I could never merge into a single being.

Your existence is one of giving, mine is one of taking.

You are a hell of infinite women, and I am a hell of a single, boundless woman.

We may both be Beasts born of pleasure, but in all other respects, we could not be more different.

You and I are not right and left halves of the same whole, taking up hands in service of a common goal. We're diametrically opposed enemies who can scarcely stand to look at one another.

I could never eat such a being. You would taste awful, and no doubt give me a terrible stomachache.

...Is that so? Well thank goodness you and I would both sooner die than work together.

...So to what do I owe the hellish discomfort of your company?

You just said you don't have any interest in devouring me, right?

Oh, my. What have I done to deserve such a hateful glare? I suppose I had better make this quick.

Hehe, this won't take a second.

What the...!? What'd you just do to me!?

Oh come now. You're really going to make me say it, when you already know just as well as I do? You are a nasty one, aren't you?

But, I suppose neither of us can be surprised by your truly horrid personality at this point, hm?

At any rate, surely you don't want to remain misunderstood forever, do you? Don't you want a chance to redeem yourself?

Hell no I don't! I know everything about my personality being horrid! That's not a misunderstanding, it's truth!

What the... Oh gods, this is gross... What is this nauseating smell? It's like raw fish, veggies, and spices all rolled into one...

Is this the kind of air you deal with all the time? How the hell do you stand it!? This is literally sickening!

Once you become accustomed to it, even pain can become pleasure.

Though of course, I doubt anyone as awkward as you will manage to...

Regardless, you and I both well know that the wicked must pay for their misdeeds in the next life. That is karma.

So when your connection to him bears fruit...I expect you to work like a dog without complaint. Understand?

Tch... So this is one last bit of salt in the wounds, huh? Fine, whatever.

But I still have no idea where you're going with this.

Consider it a punishment of sorts.

I don't mind what you did to me, but you still caused quite a lot of trouble for everyone else.

It's only fair that you work off your karmic debt, so to speak.

A fake halo now? Really? Knock it off. You're not fooling anyone with that bodhisattva act. It's obvious what you're really up to.

Can't you just come out and say you're going to make me do good deeds because you know that's the most excruciating torture there is for me?

Ugh. It must be rough being as old as you are and having to choose all your words carefully because you're worried what people will think.

...Oh my. Hehe. Hehehehehehe.

Ah! Wait! I take it back! You and I are about the same age, both in mind and in body!

At any rate, you have a connection to him now.

After all, you will love anyone, so long as they're human, yes?

Then it should be easy for you to love him, right?

...Ouch. I'll admit, you've got me there. I can't argue with that.

Right?

I still hold to shujou-muhen-seigando, the vow to save all living things, and butsudou-mujou-seiganjou, the vow to seek enlightenment...

Yes, you are a god of love who became a Beast, but I still want to save you if I can.

Of course, you may very well not even remember this conversation...or that you are a Beast yourself, or anything at all to do with Beasts.

(Sigh) You are so transparently doing this for your own pleasure.

Still...this does mean I might get another chance to surpass you once and for all, right?

And then there's that thing she said to me...

(Watching over someone grow and improve, huh... You think I can't pull that off, bitch? Watch me.)

(If I succeed at tempting him into depravity this time, I'll be all set. And if I don't, that'll mean he's grown and learned something... Patience, maybe?)

(Basically, I just need to watch over that, right? What could be easier? Besides...)

Hehe. Hehehe. Depending on how things go, I could even end up working beside Pārvatī, couldn't I?

The very idea of it makes me sick...but, if I think of it as a sanctioned opportunity to make her life hell, I guess I can deal with it.

I can just imagine her reaction if she saw me seducing someone with her face... Hehehe...

Hehe. I'm glad to see you finding joy in an otherwise completely hellish proposition.

...All right, I think I'll be on my way. Goodbye, giver of infinite love...bane of my existence.

...Goodbye, taker of all love. Right back at you.

Lady Kasuga! You mustn't sit up. You know you need your rest.

Oh, all right. But just a little.

It is, isn't it?

Hmph. You mustn't let Lord Iemitsu hear you say anything about the Tokugawa reign ending someday, Lady Kasuga. It would put him in a terrible mood.

?

Right... Well, sure, I would never go out of my way to mention this.

...Thank you, I will.

Not at all. Oh, since you're doing so well today, I'll bring you up some rice porridge once I get a chance, okay?

Sleep well, Lady Kasuga.