Act Three: Rallying Cry from the Calmest Region (2/6)

After fighting a few battles here, it's clear these waters have far more enemies than we've seen before.

Yeah, this is on a whole different level. The entire area is just crawluh, swimming with enemies, big and small alike!

That said, we haven't seen any sign of that super huge ship since we first ran into it. Maybe it's, like, the lord of this area or something?

I'd like to make a counterargument to that assertion.

Ms. Goddess and I have dissected and researched dozens of these void enemies, and it's clear they're not animals.

If anything, they seem to be more like spring-loaded toys; they are exceedingly simple creatures which only move in response to stimuli.

Big or small, they're still basically nothing more than slightly advanced marionettes.

So I can't imagine how beings like that could think, strategize, acquire sociality, or produce some kind of lord that could command them.

Hold on, Professor. Is it not true that even exceedingly simple parts can comprise complex mechanisms?

Well sure, but if that was the case here, we'd be seeing a void trench ecosystem with a lot more diversity.

By which I mean, some of the enemies we've captured would have to react in different ways to different stimuli.

But so far, we've only seen creatures who ambush targets, and others who hunt down whatever they detect, which isn't nearly enough variety.

That said, we are starting to capture pinging enemies too, so I won't deny it's possible that they could be mutating, evolving, and innovating...

But at the moment, there's still nowhere near enough behavioral diversity to suggest a leader unit.

Hmm... In that case, there is only one possible answer. Care to guess what it is, Fujimaru?

Correct. Hehehe.

...I could never have imagined you might say...that. You do know there is more to being clever than merely saying something surprising, do you not?

？！

In essence, if we assume that these enemies are not acting on their own accord, but rather at the direction of another, everything makes sense.

Indeed, this would perfectly explain why these creatures appear to be puppets: because they ARE puppets.

？！

But that's still just speculation, right, Goddess? Truth might often be stranger than fiction, but not always.

...At any rate, since that giant ship could still conceivably attack at any time, we'll need Osakabehime and Yang Guifei to keep an eye and ear out for it at all times.

Guuuys! We're under attaaack! Yu-Yu just picked up some pings while she was on break, and now we've got a bunch of enemies headed our waaay!

Dammit, speak of the devil!

？！

Right! I'll do my best to guide everyone while on standby. Ready to deploy at any time!

Of all the times for me to leave the bridge and go on break... I'm so sorry, everyone.

No, this was my fault. I should have planned better.

I'm sorry to ask this, but I'm afraid I'll need you two to stay on the bridge at all times from now on.

As for long-range enemy scans, I want you to work alongside the Professor to engineer a viable technology for remote operations. I know it won't be easy for you, Osakabehime, but we need your help with this.

Kyaaa! Forced overtime!? Why me!? There's no Servant out there who needs breaks (read: is lazier) more than me!

Huh, is that really how you feel, Batty? I find it inspiring myself.

I mean, dancing and fighting day and night to help people I care about? I couldn't ask for a better second life!

Ulp. So this is the determination of a Servant who gets infinite magical energy from the Holy Grail known as love... You're shining so bright, I can't even look at you...

Hehehe♪

Of course, you're still just my Master, Master, buuut...

Seeing how wholeheartedly you believe in the Servants who have been fighting one arduous battle after another for you, well...

Now I know for sure that you're someone who deserves every ounce of love and respect I have to offer!

Gnnn... So...cute... Can't...let her...beat me... I'll work hard too...

？！

All that aside, this workload definitely isn't sustainable, so we'll need to think of a viable long-term solution.

Would it help if...we all drank coffee together...? Ehehe... Probably not, huh...

Actually, that sounds like a great idea. Those who must round the clock without sleep should get to enjoy something that makes it worth their while.

So I'm sure Fujimaru will make some delicious coffee for us. Right, Fujimaru?

？！