Third Casino "Sword or Art"

Good morning, everyone. We have some good news for you today.

Your job at our factory is now complete. We appreciate you working yourselves past your limits.

To repeat: your job at our factory is now...

So this hellish handmade figurine production has come to a halt... I guess that means it's time.

Yes. Today must be the day when Lambda performs the last show she needs to max out her EXP.

Then it doesn't matter how bad our odds of winning might be.

Now that we know Kingprotea's guarding the elevator back to the surface, we have to get past her no matter what.

Umu. It is just not physically possible to escape with her great bulk blocking the way.

What's more, now that the factory chief has sided with the enemy, we must ensure he gets his comeuppance. And by that, I mean confiscating all of his property!

Then we're agreed; the escape mission is a go. Is everyone ready?

...

？！

Oh, nah, I'm all healed up now. And I don't got any problem with the plan.

It's just...even if we do manage to take down Protea, Little Black Ridin' Hood'll still be waitin' for me.

And honestly, I don't know if I can beat her. I can't think of anythin' I got that she doesn't.

I hate ta admit it, but her performance took my breath away. I really did think she was beautiful.

There's somethin' amazin' about her that wasn't true for any of the other Swimsuit Swordmasters we've seen so far.

But I don't know what it is, and I'll never be able ta beat her till I do.

...Haha, pretty pathetic, right? But I just can't shake that feelin'.

I hate that I'm losin' the battle of wills to a fighter who cares more about beauty than blades.

？！

？！

...What was that?

Master, say that again!

One more time! Please! I can feel my brain makin' some kinda connection!

Attention. Today's program has changed.

Due to overwhelming demand, today's show will begin in twenty minutes.

Once the curtain rises, all experience points stored at this facility will be infused into Mistress Lambdaryllis.

For safety reasons, please refrain from operating the equipment during this time.

Anyone who fails to comply will be Drained by Mistress Lambdaryllis directly.

I'm sorry to interrupt your revelation, but it looks like we have even less time to waste than we thought.

We start by defeating Kingprotea! Let's go!

D-don't worry 'bout it! I'm the one who interrupted ya for some nonsense!

Anyway, I think I got it! First up, we take down the big gal! Let's go, Master!

Whoa there. Where do you think you guys are going? You're not headed up to try and stop Lambda's plan, are you?

Hey, don't get me wrong. I think it's great you're so willing to risk your lives to save others. Real noble of you.

But, contractually speaking, I'm afraid I can't let you do that.

'Cause it'd mean I get that much less for my share!

Dammit! Your ugly mug made me lose my train of thought, ya big galoot!

Stay outta our way if y'know what's good for you, merchant! Go back to your ship and count your coins!

Ha, I'm not just in this for the money. I also love chasing after dreams. And that girlie's plan is chock-full of them.

There's few things I love more than watching someone with a real lust for power going to town!

Besides, you ever stopped to think that maybe you guys have it all wrong? Sure, that girlie's plan ain't pretty...

...but there's something real nasty about this Singularity. If you ask me, the sooner it goes away, the better!

Master, allow me to handle this.

From what I've learned, Protea is a kindhearted Alter Ego by nature. It's that Rider controlling her that's the problem.

As long as we can take him out, we should be able to avoid fighting her!

？！

Huh?

Jackpot!

Arrrgh! Hang on! Is this really any way to treat your old partner!?

And with that, evil has been defeated. Now Protea should go back to her old kindly personali

(Yawwwn)

Can't you keep it down, Factory Chief? I was having a nice nap before you woke me up.

Oh, you already got taken out? Well, that's no fun. I haven't gotten to play at all.

At least you all look like you've still got plenty of energy!

Hehe... So you and I are gonna have lots and lots of fun together, okay?

Don't worry. I'm sure Meltryllis will fix you, no matter how mangled you end up.

I don't understand! I was so sure she was a gentle Servant at heart!

Well, you know... She has one eye covered up, so I thought she must be shy...

？！

We would have been better off if the factory chief were still here after all! Now what do we do, Fujimaru!?

Does one of us stay behind to draw her attention away from the others, or do we fight her head-on knowing it is impossible to win!?

You are our Master, so the choice is yours!

I'll stay behind! As a Shielder, I should be able to hold out for a little while by myHuh?

Someone just blew up the factory! But who could have... Wait. That silhouette...!

Oh, hello, Fujimaru. I didn't expect to see all of you here.

Hehe, I just got here myself. Funny coincidence, huh?

？！

Huh? How did the factory get broken? Now Meltryllis is gonna be mad at me...

Wait. I recognize that nasty aura. That's...Passionlip...

That's right! I finally found you, Kingprotea, root of all evil!

Don't worry, Fujimaru! I can handle her by myself!

Oh no no no. That's them! The giant monster killer claws!

Now what am I gonna do!?

Yooou gooot meee! But that's okay! I still had fun!

Emergency. Emergency.

Abnormality in Sadist System Melt Purge. Unable to compress EXP storage tanks.

Releasing purple tokens to their original owners in ninety seconds.

Unable to proceed with final show at current output. Unable to proceed with final show at current output.

Mistress Lambdaryllis, please reboot your plan and try again.

We repeat. Releasing purple tokens to their original owners in ninety

Yay, I did it!

It's okay that I destroyed the factory while I was at it too, right, Fujimaru?

？！

Heh. That is just how young maidens in love are. Lord Sigurd said so too.

Ah, you are speaking of Romantia! I understand! But this is neither the time nor the place for that!

Look, Master! Now that Protea is down, we can use the elevator!

Let's hurry back to Suiten Palace and make sure to defeat Lambda once and for all this time!

Hell yeah! I owe Little Black Ridin' Hood a lotta payback! This time, I'll make sure she gets what's comin' to her!

So this is it. My final performance... In an hour, I'll have everything I ever wanted.

I will miss performing, but all good things must come to an end. The brightest stars know to retire while they're still at their peak.

It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest, and since I'm a white swan myself, this will be the perfect curtain call.

... ...

...Hehe. Hehehe. Ahahahahahaha!

Oooh, this is just the best! I don't think I've ever been this elated in my life!

There's no BB, the biggest burden, to get in my way here, and no other annoying boss characters in sight!

Being an Odette in love just isn't my style! The cruel Odile, on the other hand... Now that's the life for me!

Apologies for the interruption, but a fire has broken out in the underground factory.

Your entire collection has gone up in flames. The factory chief has deserted his post.

And the kaiju you scouted, Kingprotea, has gone silent. We now lack the resources to proceed with the final show.

You need to reboot your plan and try again, Mistress Lambdaryllis.

Huh? Hey Seerie, say that again? I didn't quite catch it.

I repeat, you have lost everything. You need to start over from the beginning.

...I see. Meh, such is life.

It's okay. I'm still cool, calm, and collected.

This is Fujimaru's doing, right? I figured he might do something like this.

But I still have plenty of moves I can make. There's a full crowd out there waiting for me to go on, right?

So I'll just go on stage right now and turn them all into EXP.

That ought to let me level up enough to wipe the floor with them, right?

Say "Hey Seerie, tell me the bad news," please.

...Tell me the bad news.

The how and why are still unclear, but all of the guests gathered at the rink have left.

You currently possess exactly bupkes.

Hey Seerie, go to hell!

Dammit, what's going on!? How did this happen!?

Umu, the best way to fight art truly is with more art! Good day, everyone! Thank you for that hearty round of applause!

Let me see... "Your attention please. I understand you are excited for the show, but this area is dangerous. For your own safety, we must ask you to leave at once."

"Of course, we do not ask this lightly. In return, allow me to present you with a gift easily on par with Lambdaryllis's performance..."

"A serenade from yours truly! As you leave, I will regale you with a song...no, ten songs...no, enough songs to last three days and nights or until you pass out from excitement!"

Heh, it worked! They all left in a rush! I must have truly gotten through to them!

This is great! Now we won't have to worry about any bystanders getting hurt!

(It looked to me like they were running away in fright...but a closed mouth gathers no feet...)

Now you've done it. Oh yes, you've reeeally done it this time.

I see. I guess I underestimated how...powerful Nero's singing can be.

The personal brand loyalty I'd built up... My fans' trust in me... All their passion and high hopes...

Just knowing that all it took to make them forget that was one song only makes it sting that much more...

？！

Fine, I admit it. You win this one, okay!?

Honestly, I know I went a little too far with my hobby here. But is that so wrong!?

What's wrong with making figures!? They're beautiful, right!?

In my book, there's no difference between figure skating and figure making!

Umu. As one who enjoys making a nice sculpture, I understand how you feel.

No matter how much others may dismiss our interests, we cannot help but like what we like.

Don't you lump my beautiful figures in with your twisted... Oh, never mind.

Right now, I want to hear from you, Lip. I didn't pick on you at all this time, right?

So why did you do this to me? That's the only part of this I don't understand, and it's really grating on me.

...Fine, let me ask you this: Why Protea?

Aren't I the one who's supposed to keep you safe?

Who cares if you're a bad guy for this event? You still should have at least asked me.

？！

I guess you're right. I shouldn't have bothered trying to spare your feelings.

Part of me still can't believe that's why I lost... But, it is what it is.

...However...

Your little pleasure cruise isn't over just yet, Chaldeans.

Now that you've defeated me so thoroughly, I won't be satisfied until I get you back in at least one way.

Katsushika Hokusai. This time, I'm going to finish you off for good, one Swimsuit Swordmaster to another.

Are you ready to fight me? Or should I say... Are you ready to fight your own heart?

Sure am.

Lambdaryllis, y'know earlier, when you were askin' me...

...what sort of pictures I wanna paint, and what kind of swordfighter I wanna be?

You had it right. I still didn't really understand what bein' a Swimsuit Swordmaster was all about.

I thought if ya wanted ta be the best swordfighter around, all ya had ta do was wear some armor and swing around some badass weapons.

But all the rest of you've just been goin' around dressing up however you like 'n doing whatever you please.

At first, I thought that playfulness was the Swimsuit Swordmasters' major flaw.

But I had it all wrong. We don't wear swimsuits 'cause it's summer.

We wear swimsuits 'cause it makes us stronger swordfighters!

Really!?

(Yes. That's it, Katsushika Hokusai. You finally understand.)

(My plan might be dashed like so much sea foam, but at least this takes care of your request to me, Musashi.)

I was so busy thinkin' 'bout how I could look cool while swingin' my swords that I never stopped ta think about how I could also be artful.

Why wear swimsuits in the first place? Ta show off how beautiful our own bodies are!

If we Swimsuit Swordmasters are destined ta be beautiful, it's no damn wonder I fell for ya so hard.

I can't just beat you with the sword. I also gotta beat you in beauty! That's what art's all about, right?

So that's the conclusion you arrived at, hm? It's a nice thought, but unfortunately, not one I can get behind.

You're trying to be the best out of many possible bests...

...while I only care about myself being the best.

Yeah, I bet. That's just the kind of woman you are. So there's only one way left ta settle this!

Not all swordswomen wear flowers, but every woman is prepared to bear 'em!

I'm Katsushika Hokusai, the swordfighter clad in blossoms! Get ready!

The Dragon Palace of the sea has no need for the flowers of land. This world is only big enough for one goddess, and you're looking at her.

I am Lambdaryllis; the great tsunami that covers the land, and the embodiment of the sea's seven elegies...

Come, and let us have a good, clean fight!

Hell yeah! Thanks for backin' me up, Master! How'd ya like my allurin' style!?

What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to congratulate Hokusai here?

Still...that's not to say I don't appreciate your consideration.

？！

That was a wonderful duel! And since we won, we've managed to get through Suiten Palace too, haven't we!?

Once again, we couldn't have done it without a lot of luck, and the help of our capable allies.

Nero, Lip, thank you both so much. You helped us out more than I can say.

Oh, that is quite all right! This turned out to be quite a nice workout for me! Plus, I now have a new performer friend in Lambda!

If you ever wish to have a battle of the arts, all you need to do is say the word!

Hehe. I already had plenty of fun smashing Melt's hopes and dreams, so you don't have to thank me.

Besides, the important thing is, I proved I'm still a better Alter Ego than Protea!

So what're you gonna do now, Lambda? Start the Suiten Palace over again from scratch?

Of course not. I've had quite enough of these sorts of slow and laborious plans.

As long as you manage to keep winning, I don't see any need to stick my own neck out further.

No, I'm just going to go back to being the prima donna I was born to be.

I'll even help you all out too, though only a little. I still have my shows to do during the day, after all.

Ha, no thanks. With Toto-sama around, the last thing's I need's another sea monster helpin' me out.

I can understand that. After all, why bring in a tsunami when you already have a waterfall?

But that's just how we artists are. If you aren't jealous of others, it means you don't have any room left to grow.

So let's just keep our real feelings bottled up and pretend to get along swimmingly, shall we?