Act Two: The Thunder Shooter's Fishing Ground (2/4)

...All right, everyone, we finally have a chance to make up for our first humiliating defeat.

Thanks to Osakabehime, we know exactly where the enemy is located, and how big it is: eighty meters, just like the last one we encountered.

We also know there aren't any other enemies nearby. So this time, we're going to try attacking it with a torpedo!

Torpedo-no-Raikou... It's got a nice ring to it, heh...

Minamoto-no-Raikou, let me just remind you one more time to please stay close to the ship.

You'll need to brace yourself against the force fields we've put up around the ship in order to use your overclocked Noble Phantasm safely.

This might sound bad, but basically, just this once, we need you to conduct yourself as though you are a shipboard weapon.

Leave it to me. I've had plenty of experience handling heavy weaponry, and I've practiced wielding this one in the simulator.

At long last, I will not be limited to Indra's power alone. Now, I will have invincible purifying crystallized intellect, combined with the enforcing power of many gods' mantras and scriptures at my fingertips.

Ahh, I can't wait to fire it! And once I've eradicated all the immoral evils of this world, I will give Master and Kintoki the best head pats of their lives!

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Not to worry. I'm just excited to get started.

With all due respect, Raikou, right now, you need to stay calm and collected, like an executioner.

When it's time to fire, the ship is going to send you a vast amount of magical energy and precise calculations. At that exact moment, I want you to process it all and unleash your Noble Phantasm.

Basically, I want you be as cool as a sea cucumber, and as vicious as a cone snail. You can do that, right?

Of course, Captain. Seafood is a favorite of mine. Now, let's be on our way!

We have obliterated the horrid, shameless enemy vessel. Hehe, how wonderful!

Yup, that played out just like it did in the simulation no, even better. Honestly, I'm a little scared by how well it all worked.

The enemy didn't even try to fire back at us. Does this mean Raikou's Noble Phantasm was just that quiet?

Indeed. I inscribed her weapon with runes to limit its vibration of nearby space. You have my Goddess Guarantee that her spear is now completely silent.

I hear a fair amount of swimming creatures outside... Maybe these enemy ships aren't the sharpest tools in the shed?

I see... Then I suppose there is still some room for improvement.

Captain, make sure to dismantle the enemy ship before bringing it aboard. I would particularly appreciate any parts that seem especially quiet.

Hmm, I'm surprised she was so willing to voice her opinion in defiance of this foreign goddess's protection. I must say, it's a bit unsettling.

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True. But you know, Master.

Since we so frequently find ourselves in desperate times, don't you think that's all the more reason to take pains to preserve order, morality, and decency?

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Indeed! From now on, while between missions, I will be resuming my prefect duties and cracking down on any displays of public indecency!

I will naturally be investigating whether you've committed any public decency violations in my absence, Master.

And if I should happen to find you have...

...Ahem! I hope you'll be prepared to face the consequences!

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(Mumbling indistinctly)

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Eep! Master! I-it's nothing. I was just thinking about how Lady Raikou is so full of life...

I couldn't be more different from her, huh... Ehehe. Sorry for being such a downer, Master...

Nnn. I hope Goghie's okay...

Master, I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but could I ask you to do something nice for Goghie?

Maybe you could take her for a walk... Chat with her... Have a meal together...

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Exactly! Times like this, a nice date can

Did you say "date"!?

(Sigh...) Ehehe. Nothing ever seems...to go my way...

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Oh, Master... I'm sorry I'm not a better painter...

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Ehehe... You certainly have your work cut out for you, don't you, Master?

Compared to you, I'm just a frail bough in the mistral wind... Or maybe a frail Gogh... Ehehe...

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Huh? But, you're the acting commander... You must be very busy...

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Huh? But...I

So why'd ya come here of all places, huh!?

Ya really think Van Gogh's gonna enjoy all this blazing heat and total lack of fun!?

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Me? You don't gotta worry about me. A quick shower during my breaks is all I need to wash off any stress I might have pent up.

Long as the engine's doin' well, that's all I need to be happy.

Speakin' of which, I still got a ton of work to do, so go on and get outta here! If ya wanna goof off that much, go play with one of the marines or somethin'!

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Huh? What's that stuff? Some kinda safety equipment?

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Sooo...we do rock-paper-scissors, and if I win, I go for the hammer, and you go for the helmet...

What kinda silly-ass game is that!?

And can't that hammer make any louder noises, like a big kaboom or somethin'!?

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All right, hang on... Okay, I got how this works. So do I say "rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" or without the "shoot"? Without? Okay, got it!

Right, let's do this thing! Rock, paper, scissors!!!

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Ehehe... Still, it was very exciting to watch. I was on pins and needles the whole time...

The look of shame and fury on Lady Engineer's face when you beat her the first two times was really funny...even if she did make a comeback after that...

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Me? Ehehe, I don't know. I've never been very good at competition of any kind...

If I'd had to use the squeaky hammer...I'd probably just panic and drop it... Especially with Lady Engineer glaring at me so intensely...

I'm sorry you wasted your invitation on me...

S-still, I really did enjoy watching! It was so exciting! Gogh-citing, even!

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Hi there. Welcome to the crew mess☆

Are you on break now, Acting Commander? Can I get you something strong to drink?

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Me? Oh... Uh... What should I get...?

We also have absinthe.

Hwa!?

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N-not at all! In fact, if I never see another bottle... it'll still be too soon!!!

Oh... I'm sorry. I was just trying to make a joke. I hope I didn't offend you.

Oh, no, please don't worry about me... Let me explain, Master. Back in my time, absinthe was one of the most popular kinds of alcohol in Paris.

It's pretty strong, especially for the low price, and it's served with a sugar cube to sweeten it, which made it pretty dangerous if you got hooked. Some people even thought it might have dangerous side effects...

Anyway, most artists back then would drink it whenever they were feeling down... And a lot of them drank themselves to death...

I didn't drink it all that much myself, though... Ehehe. Lautrec was a lot more...knowledgeable about it.

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In that case... Oh, come to think of it, I believe I saw at least one bottle of it...

Here we go. Ta-daaa. It's elderflower cordial! People used to drink this in the Netherlands all the time, right?

Hwa!?

Uh-oh... Did I touch a nerve again?

O-oh, no, I was just surprised to see Dutch writing again! I'd love a cordial! It's just as beautiful as I remembered, like the rays of the sun itself!

Hehehe. Would you like a glass of the same, Master?

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I know! The gentle sweetness and fragrant aroma really bring out the flavor! Ehehe...

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Oh yes, definitely! Thank you for making time for me, Master...

I promise I'll do my best to sort through my feelings so I can do the jobs you need me to... Ehehe...

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?

Goghie, I think Master just wants to see you smile.

Huh? Oh, uh...

I know. I'm sorry the Nautilus doesn't have much in the way of entertainment.

There's still some time to go before the next meal, so maybe you could grab a spare marine and do something fun with them?

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No way! Do you paint too, Master!?

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Fun!? Of course it's fun! It's super fun!

Oh, this is great! I'll finally get to paint with someone else again! I can even teach you a little! Oh, this is gonna be so, so fun!

It's already so much fun that

...I went and bloomed. Whoops, ehehe...

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Wow, Goghie, you look so much more mature now! I'm kind of jealous!

Oh? Hmm, I guess this outfit is a little more feminine... But then, why wouldn't it be? I am a girl, after all.

But, wait... Vincent's a boy... The oldest son of the Van Gogh family, and a lazy good-for-nothing...

I remember Kee, Uncle Stricker's daughter, rejected me... And how things didn't go well with Sien the prostitute, either...

Wait. Hm? Huh?

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O-oh, yes, of course, ehehe, wait, whaaa...!? We're under attack!? I mean, this was a date!?

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Y-yes! Of course! In fact, I think I could destroy any monster that tries to mess with us now! Heh, ehehe...!

There you are, Master! We've got a close-combat fight on our hands! Small enemies are swarming our outer Bounded Field!

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I don't know what got their attention, but for now, we need to focus on getting rid of them! And make sure to do it as quietly as possible!

I already heard about what happened with you, Van Gogh! While I'd love to run some detailed tests, right now, we need all the help we can get! Are you ready to head out!?

Yes, of course! I'll do the best I can!

...There we go. I've restored all the injured Servants to prime condition.

However, there's still an issue with you, Van Gogh. We need to study the effects your new Ascension may be having.

The change in skin color is especially striking... Anyway, we need to make sure there are no adverse health effects.

By all means, study away! It's okay if the tests are a little painful! I like pain!

Well, I appreciate you being so cooperative. All right, I'll go get Professor in here to help me.

I'm sorry to have you postpone your date again, Master, but please try to understand. Captain's orders and all.

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Thank you, Master! Please, let me shake your hand! I'll come back to you later! I promise!

Master!!!

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Well, I know this wasn't very respectful of your privacy, Master, but since there are a number of issues involving Van Gogh, we, um, took the liberty of following you...

I'm so sorry...

I just wanted to say how incredibly touched I am, Master!

Your date was just unbelievably precious! And you didn't even try to pry into Goghie's history!

You were so considerate of her, too! I especially loved how you got her out of her shell and talking to other people so naturally!

(Siiigh) The whole thing was just so beautiful and heartwarming... It reminds me of the time I spent in the inner palace!

Incidentally, Osakabehime loudly mumbled something similar right before she said she was getting a stomachache and holed herself up in her room.

Anyway, while I do think your thoughtfulness is praiseworthy, it's also exactly why I have to say something about how you interact with her.

The fact is, we need to make a decision about whether we should continue to treat her like just another Servant.

Does that mean you suspect she's behind this whole incident, Captain?

No, it doesn't. But given her unstable Foreigner Spirit Origin, we have to be aware of the risks that come with her mental instability and bipolar tendencies.

Between the spontaneous Ascension due to her buoyed mental state, and the seemingly extreme changes to her Spirit Origin that occurred as a result, there are too many factors at play that we can neither understand nor control.

Throw in her Foreigner class status, and there's just no telling what kind of danger she might ultimately pose.

Of course, I think there might also be a reason why Yang Guifei, another Foreigner, is here during this highly unusual situation.

It may be that Van Gogh has yet to reach her final Foreigner form...

...and if that form turns out to be an enemy we need to defeat, that might be why Yang Guifei was summoned here.

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Huh? You're kidding, right...?

I can't do that! No way!

I know I only just met Goghie recently, but she's already like a sister to me!

Let me be clear that we are discussing a worst-case scenario here.

But, if it does come to that, we'll need to be ready, Fujimaru.

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...Oh, hang on. I just got an update from Nurse.

After taking a look at Van Gogh's Spirit Origin Ascension, she said she couldn't find anything noteworthy outside of a marked increase in magical energy capacity.

In fact, given her unusual blood and spiritual properties, her new skin color might even be closer to her model form.

At this point, we simply can't be definitive... But if we agree that she's potentially dangerous, we can still change how we treat her.

For example, we could put her Spirit Origin into a sleep mode, like General Xiang Yu, or we could build a new, isolated chamber for her and confine her there.

I know how harsh that all sounds, but if we think of it as ensuring a guest gets the necessary chance at recovery, it's more than humane.

However, unfortunate though it may seem, we should limit how much you interact with her from now on, Master. After all, you're my Master now, which means you're also the Nautilus's lifeline.

...

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Why not? Are you forgetting Van Gogh might be responsible for this entire situation?

What if continuing to interact with her freely ends up putting not just you, or the Nautilus, but all of Chaldea and Proper Human History at risk?

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...I see.

So if things take a dangerous turn, you'd prefer to get in close and find out the cause of the danger instead of just trying to make it go away.

All right. If that is your decision...

...then I am officially relieving you of command.

Huh!?

Captain!?

Is it that surprising? Masters and Servants are basically just two people connected by Command Spells. There's no law saying we have to do everything our Master says.

And in your case especially, Fujimaru, your Command Spell authority isn't even completely binding. If I think you're making a mistake, there's nothing stopping me from acting accordingly.

Yes, I am a Servant, but I'm a Phantom Spirit first. My Spirit Origin may not be anything special, but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to make tough calls when necessary.

And as the captain of this ship, I can't in good conscience follow a Master who would knowingly allow a dangerous element to move around unfettered.

It's going to be a major problem for morale on the rest of this voyage unless we set the record straight here and now.

So...as clichéd as it might sound, I challenge you to a fight, Fujimaru.

If you win, I'll apologize for insubordination and swear fealty from then on. If you lose, you'll resign your post as acting commander and agree to follow my commands instead.

Captain, with all due respect, this is no time to be fighting among ourselves! Master, please, tell him why

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Master!? You're not serious, are you!? Tell me you're not serious!

Ahh, what a wonderful sight to see after exiting my workshop for the first time in ages. I can practically feel my Spirit Origin being rejuvenated.

D-do you really think so, Scáthach-Skadi!? Because it seems to me like the Nautilus's chain of command is on the verge of collapse!

Don't be ridiculous, Mash.

Fighting to resolve their differences is something my beloved children have done since ancient times. It is a truly heartwarming sight.

I see no reason why this dispute should be any different. There is always something to be learned through fierce competition with one's peers, regardless of age or gender!

D-does this really qualify as fierce competition?

I just want to make sure we don't have any regrets.

It would be a huge waste to stand around blaming one another for things we did or didn't do that are only clear in hindsight.

And I have absolutely no patience for pointless debate that just goes in endless circles.

We need to make it abundantly clear who suggested what, who agreed to it, and who's ultimately responsible for it, or this whole mission will end in abject failure.

All the more so given how we're all stuck together in the tight confines of a submarine.

So this will be our fair and impartial court. Once we fight, we'll know where things stand. Simple as a sand dollar.

All right, Master Fujimaru! Come at me with everything you've got!

Let's see which of us has the strength of our convictions!

(Sulking)

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...Aren't duels supposed to be fought one-on-one? Why'd you bring a full roster?

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...Talk about winning on a technicality...

U-um, Captain Nemo? Are you satisfied with these results?

...(Sigh) Yes, it's fine. As promised, from now on, I'll go along with whatever you want to do, Acting Commander.

If Van Gogh ends up causing any problems down the line, every crew member on this ship will face them together.

We also won't blame Van Gogh, or Master...

...or even any of the Servants who helped Master win our battle just now, for putting us in that position.

Basically, regardless of what dangers might befall the Nautilus in the future, the whole crew will be responsible for resolving them.

That's all.

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Yeah, yeah.

So now that I've lost, that's the end of it. I'm not going to apologize. Too embarrassing.

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...All right, I know this is short notice, but now that that's settled, there's something I'd like to talk to you about, Acting Commander.

Oh, and it's top secret, so I'd like you all to give us some privacy. Sorry to leave you out again, Mash.

...

...

I, um... I'm sorry.

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No, not about that. I still believe my actions were justified.

I'm apologizing for what I said before you shared your position... For my own weakness.

When you get right down to it, I basically forced you to make a decision I wasn't comfortable making myself.

Speaking purely emotionally...I don't want to treat her...Van Gogh badly. I really don't.

But the Nemo Series' is divided on the subject of what to do about her. Engineer, the Marines, and Baker all agree with letting her roam free, Nurse is fine either way, and Professor wants to keep her confined.

So I ended up foisting the decision onto you, even though, as captain of this ship, it should have been my call.

And that's what I'm apologizing for: my inability to make a tough decision.

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...More or less. I'm not a real Heroic Spirit, at least, not like the others. I'm a mixture of two separate Heroic Spirits and their legends.

I know I settled on Nemo during our voyage in India, but that doesn't mean I've made my peace with my dueling identities.

...I have a feeling Van Gogh's going through similar hardships. That's why, deep down, I'd really like nothing more than to help her.

I think, from a mental perspective, you can save her. But that still leaves the problems of the Extra class...

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...If you say so. Good grief.

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...Thanks, Master.

Ehehe... Ehehe... I'm so glad...they let me out of the infirmary... That was the best night...I've had in ages...

It was so much fun...teaching you how to paint, Master... Your croquis technique...really improved quickly, too...

I really enjoyed seeing...some of Hokusai's original paintings, too... Ahh, I'm so happy... Ehehe... I wonder if this is all a dream... Ehehe...

Ahh, it really does feel like a dream... Such pretty warm light all around me... I'm so happy... So happy that...

I bloomed!!!

Juuust kidding! Just another Van Goghk for you. Van Goghk... Joking... Van Goghking around!

Ehehe! Ehehe! I usually never get this excited! I almost feel high! I'm high Van Gogh! Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to paint I Van Gogh!

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Ahh... I think I just ran out of magical energy... Now I'm a little sleepy... Ehehe... Good night...

Thank you so much, Master... I'm so grateful to you...

Congratulations on finishing your first painting session with Van Gogh, Senpai.

I saw that you stayed up all night painting with her after she was released with a clean bill of health... It did seem more like training at an art dojo than a creative exercise, though...

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Still, of all the things you did on your date, she seemed to enjoy herself the most while teaching you how to paint!

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Y-yes... Why? Was that not the case?

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Really?

Th-that's a little hard to believe, but if that's what you think, Senpai, you're probably right.

But then, I wonder what we have to do to see her genuinely happy...