First Game: Monopolizing Mosaic City

...Where are we?

...This is Akihabara. A city inside the game.

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Akihabara! A town famous for its technology and culture! Although, I don't recall half of it being underwater before...

It's certainly beautiful, but it's also decadent beyond redemption! Even for a game setting, this is just too sad!

Assuming those aren't tears, then it must be the ocean. No, I'm sure of it. A great body of salt water is ebbing its way towards the city.

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So the sea level has risen so much that Akihabara is now a coastal city...?

Looks like this place managed to hold on just one step shy of full-blown collapse. Cop-outs.

That's mean! This is a very special city.

A big war took place here. The last war that ever revolved around a Holy Grail.

The last Holy Grail War?

It happened a little after you. I'm sure you're all okay.

That war changed a lot of things. It's what made the city like this.

This place is important to me. I'm sure it is to her, too.

So I'm sure this is where we'll find her.

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My best friend. She...got lost, and now she's all alone.

There aren't many people like that in this city. Because, here

Oh, hey! I didn't know you guys were here too! Welcome to Akihabara and its Monde du Jeu!

Helena! Um... What's "Monde du Jeu"?

It's the world of play inside this board game.

You guys saw the pieces that make up the mysterious game set too, right? Those are miniatures of the Monde du Jeu.

There are five cities altogether, each with their own game. Akihabara here is one of them.

I see. That does shed a lot of light on what's going on, but...I'm still wondering who your, um, gingerbread friend is?

Hey! Who're you calling gingerbread!?

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, Master. These people still have a lot to learn about the ways of this world.

Huh? Did you just call that, um, figure "Master"?

I sure did. This lovely lady here is my Master here in Akihabara. Though of course, I didn't find that out until after I got here, either.

Don't be ridiculous, Helena! You and I have always been destined to be partners!

Were we? Yeah, you must be right. This IS my Akihabara self we're talking about, after all.

What's going on, Senpai? Both Helena and this world seem a little...off.

They're not just a little off. They're way off.

People didn't look like this in the Akihabara I know.

I see. So this is strange to you, too...

That Master looks just like the Meeple pieces in one of my favorite board games.

So even humans become a literal part of the game here! As scandalous as that is, I can't help but admire the sheer scale of this standardization!

Hey! Quit staring at me!

Oh! I'm sorry.

What's going on here, Helena? Are these people Servants? They're not Rogue Servants, are they?

By all means, I'd be happy to explain, my temporary Master. These people are Servants of Chaldea.

That boy there is the only Master among them.

What? You mean he's a single Master with multiple Servants?

But that's impossible!

It's perfectly normal in Chaldea.

You know how in this city, everyone has a Holy Grail within them, as well as a contract with a Servant?

Well, in Chaldea, there are only a few Holy Grails in the entire world.

Unbelievable! Those poor people! How in the world do they get by without their own Holy Grail!?

Well now, what a fascinating setting! So in this world, everyone and their mother has a contract with a Heroic Spirit!

I've never heard of anything like it! It sounds simply wonderful.

Sounds downright terrifying.

What happens when someone draws a Servant who's only good for killing, like me?

I'll tell you. Any hope an average Jane had of dying a peaceful death goes right down the drain.

What makes you think that? Aren't you a good person?

...Person? No. Weapon? Yeah.

Which means I'm also a halfway decent Servant.

Like I said, the only thing I'm good for is killing. It's the whole reason I'm here.

And as long as I, and everyone else around me, knows what I am, there's no problem. Period.

Simple, right? Now don't ask me any more pointless questions.

I couldn't help it. You kind of remind me of...someone I know...

...

On a different subject: What is it that brings you here, "Master" of Chaldea?

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You mean, like me?

It's not just you, Blavatsky. A great number of Servants have disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

They must have all been trapped in this game world! We need to bring them home at once!

Oh my, goodness me! So you want to kidnap my precious Helena?

Don't worry, Master of Akihabara. I love my new life here.

What are you saying, Helena!? You don't seriously mean to stay here, do you!?

Don't you remember your friends at Chaldea!? There's me, the half-witted eccentric, that Sigerson bastard

You guys don't get it, do you? Did you really think you could just leave whenever you wanted?

Huh? What do you mean?

The moment you jumped into the Monde du Jeu, you all became a part of this world's mechanics.

So you need to play the game if you want to leave Akihabara and go somewhere else.

So, we have to play this game...and win...

Winning will earn you tokens, like this one.

Once you have enough tokens, you'll be able to acquire the qualifications you need to leave this city.

What happens if we should lose the game?

Oh, you'll find out soon enough♪

Hm? Why Fujimaru, I didn't know you already had your own piece. Even if it isn't a Meeple.

I'm glad to see you're so excited about this! Does this mean you're going to try your hand at the game?

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Then let me give you this token as a little parting gift.

All right, it's time for our first game: Culdpoly!

The rules are simple. Roll the dice to determine the number of spaces to move, and something will happen on whichever property your piece ends up on.

The goal is to claim the whole city of Akihabara for yourself!

Oh, I know this one! This is a famous board game where players compete to own property and grow their companies!

Can I play too, Senpai!? I've always wanted to try it!

Let me roll the dice. I'm really good at it.

So you're all going to team up, huh? Fine with me. Just make sure your team stays the same until the game is over.

The rest of you don't have Meeples, right? Then you'll just have to spectate this time.

Fine with me. I'm a little tired, anyway. I wonder if it's too soon for afternoon tea?

Very well then, we'll stay and relax in the salon by the starting point. Good luck, Fujimaru!

Take it from me, you don't want to let these kinds of games drag on for too long. Make sure you get back while I've still got my wits about me.

Okay, let's get started, shall we♪

Here I go!