Act Five: The Bottom of the Sea Blooming and Yielding (1/2)

Deeper. Deeper...

Further. Further...

That's right. I did call out.

I definitely remember that.

I called out because I was lonely.

I need others. I need light. I couldn't help but want that...

Because I'm Clytie.

Everything makes sense now. So much more sense than thinking I was Van Gogh.

And yet, I am still Van Gogh.

The memories I built up over my short life... My way of life engraved upon my body... They all refuse to let me think of myself as anyone but Van Gogh.

But even so, I'm still a woman. A morose coward. A flower shadowed by mourning. A water nymph.

And this mind and body refuse to accept that I perceive myself as Van Gogh.

...I wonder how much time I've wasted on this pointless back-and-forth.

Time and time again I have tried tearing myself apart, but because I am not Van Gogh, it never works.

I've almost ended up painting that picture so many times now, too. But I can't do that either now, because I'm Van Gogh.

I'm in so much pain that I kept cutting myself just to pass the time, only for my blood to cloud the archethe water, until I could no longer see...

The next thing I knew, I was alone again. All alone, drifting aimlessly in the empty Void Sea.

But that's okay. I don't care anymore.

As long as I stay here and do nothing, at least I won't be a burden to anyone else anymore.

I won't die, I won't paint, and I won't call to anyone.

I'll just...drift here, forever. It suits me.

...Ehehe.

Deeper. Deeper... Further. Further...

Huh?

Huh? Huh!?

What's going on?

Is someone...

...calling to me?

Shallower! Shallower! Higher! Higher!

I'm picking up what feels like a cliff about twenty kilometers ahead of us! We might have a tough time making our way to Goghie!

Can you use your Bounded Field to pinpoint her location, Batty!?

You got it! Just leave everything to Batty!

Hang in there, Professor Van Gogh! You might not look or act how I expected, but I still admire the jigoku out of your mad painting skills!

...Shallower! Shallower! Higher! Higher!

？！

Yes, it is! But right now, this is the only sound I can send out to the Void Sea!

There's no way I'm letting Goghie sink down into the depths of grief without a fight! I'm going to find her and pull her out of there, whatever it takes!

We're all getting out of this Zero Sail and going back to Reality Space together! I won't let her rot down here alone!

Yeah, that's right! I'm fighting to save her, whether she wants me to or not! Come on, Goghie, hear me, dammit!

I have no problem with you trying to use your pings to get a message to her. We don't have any other means of communicating with her, after all.

We've stockpiled a mountain's worth of resources for this search and rescue, and we've been putting up anti-beam and anti-explosive protections all around the Nautilus like they're going out of style.

We also don't have to worry about small monsters or weak beam attacks at all now thanks to Yang Guifei and Osakabehime's familiars taking care of the little guys on their own.

And if that's not enough, Raikou and I are stationed outside the ship!

With both of our Noble Phantasms powered up, we'll sink any enemy ship we see before it can fire, and defend the ship from any A-rank attacks!

The combat team is taking out smaller enemies under Lambda's command, and they'll also work with Fran to take out the larger ones if necessary!

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With this many offensive and defensive options at our disposal, we don't have to wait for enemies to find us anymore. We can draw them out with our active sonar.

This is easily the most ridiculous submarine combat I've ever seen, but this kind of breaking the mold is just what we, and Van Gogh, need right now!

Thanks, Captain! Speaking of combat, we've got a huuuge swarm of enemies headed our way!

Get them, familiars! The rest of you, take out the ones that slip past!

This is frontline defense! Roger that! We have the situation well in hand!

Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I thought I would come see how my ship is faring since I finally have nothing to do in my workshop, and it would seem we have an overwhelming advantage now.

What, pride? Come now, there is nothing wrong with taking a little pride in your work. As a blonde gentleman I once met somewhere said, what makes one a god if not pride?

Isn't that exactly what a leader says just before they're murdered in their sleep? It happened all the time whenever China changed dynasties. We called it the "Mandate of Heaven."

Worry not; I have long since been deposed from my throne. Now, my only focus is loving humans everywhere. Leave the caution to them.

Ahahaha, I can't argue with that!

She's not wrong. The goddess has done an incredible amount of engineering and production over the course of this voyage.

It would not be inaccurate to say that, at this point, roughly half of the Nautilus is her property.

Heh. Impressive, right? I ask no fee for my work. All I request in return is your love and adoration.

Of course, there's no way these add-ons and modifications can be sustained in Reality Space, so we'll have to remove them and overhaul the whole ship once we get back. (Sniff)

Aww.

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This is the defensive team! We've taken out almost all the enemies! We're heading back to the ship to resupply!

The infirmary is ready and waiting with all kinds of healing spells in case anyone is injured!

Kitchen, we've got warriors headed back! Make sure they all have something hot to drink!

Kitchen here. Understood. I'll be waiting with everyone's usuals.

...You know, Master, once Goghie is back safe and sound, I'd be happy to make you another elderflower cordial.

？！

Engine room, we'll need flanking speed as soon as Osakabehime gets back. I know you don't need to actually warm up the engines, but keep them ready to go anyway.

Don't you worry about it! The Nautilus might look like some overgrown hippo now, but it's still my baby, dammit!

I'll make sure the engine keeps purring like a catfish, and you make sure you keep winning your battles! Engineer out!

...It's too bad the marines' consciousness is still frozen, but that aside, the entire Nemo Series is on the same page again.

At this pace, we should be at our destination in about twenty or thirty minutes. Once again...I'll be counting on you, Fujimaru.

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M-M-M-Ma-chan! Captain! We've got an emergency!

Now? That can't be good. All right, let's hear it. What'd you find out?

Well, uh, you know that cliff we spotted up ahead?

Turns out, it's not a cliff at all! It's a really, really, REALLY dekahuge Professor Van Gogh!!!

Osakabe, are you absolutely certain you are not mistaken?

Yes, I'm positive! Believe me, I double-checked a dozen times!

It looks like this terrain is roughly circular, with about a three kilometer diameter...

And you're telling us it's not a reef, but a Servant's body? I find that more than a little hard to believe.

...Fujimaru, how does that compare to the largest enemies you've fought to date?

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It's actually spherical, not circular. It's kind of like a giant bowling ball floating in the middle of the Void Sea.

The outside seems kind of like a spirit body's outer shell, complete with a powerful Spirit Core signal in the center.

I think this is Professor Van Gogh's real body. And unfortunately, since it's a sphere, there's no quick or easy way for us to get to it.

And...I'm guessing here, but I don't think the outer shell is just a plain old wall. It feels really aggressive, and it's probably super dangerous...

I never would have imagined Van Gogh would mutate into something so massive...

Maybe it's a side effect of Clytie's Spirit Origin. Like she's blooming instead of taking her own life.

Um, I don't think so. I'm guessing this is still just a bud...which means we haven't reached the blooming stage yet...

So it truly is the advent of an evil god... Then again, this could simply be these Outer Gods' plan B.

Perhaps they decided that, in the event they were unable to use Van Gogh to deify enough Foreigners, they could make her into a powerful god in her own right.

If that is indeed the case, it would make her both an undercover agent and a ticking time bomb.

What should we do now, Captain? The ship's tougher than ever, but we never accounted for picking a fight with a glacier.

I'd like you all to come up with a plan that'll let us break through that shell with our existing firepower. Will you help us too, Goddess?

Of course. However, there is still one thing we need.

What's that?

Sometimes, when one is facing impossible-seeming odds, one must turn to a malefactor for help. Is that not so?

Who're you callin' a malefactor!?

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H-hey, Master. I, uh...

Aw, forget it! I don't even remember how I got here! All I know's I was stuck in this cage when I came to, and now I can't even paint a damn picture!

Whatever's going on, we Edoites don't make excuses for our deeds, even if we were drunk or in love at the time, so I ain't about to start now! Go ahead, do your worst!

？！

...

？！

... ...Okay.

Um, Hokusai? Why would you tell such an obvious lie?

What else could I do!? I ain't never been so ashamed in all my life!

After I go outta my way to send Master off with a bang, I turn out ta be the bad guy who almost got you all killed!? And disgracin' myself by first showin' up in that swimsuit again to boot!?

N-n-not to mention that, if I say I'm a samurai, I'd hafta commit seppuku to atone for my crimes, right!?

So I couldn't help but try and, ya know, sweep things under the rug...

...I'm sorry, everyone...

？！

Y-ya mean it?

The fact is, no Servant is fully protected from someone or something tampering with their Spirit Origin.

It's true. A lot of them have been made to play parts in all kinds of wicked schemes, and they weren't all Foreigners by any means.

Indeed. So rest assured, there is no cause for you to be ashamed. We only kept you in here as a precaution, nothing more.

However, we can keep you here no longer, as we need your help. We would like your opinion on something, given that you painted this vast ocean into existence.

...H-haha. Well, in that case, yeah, 'course I'll be glad ta help.

All right, what happens in the Void Sea stays in the Void Sea, so no more shame for me! I'll do whatever I can ta put things right!

First off, just so we're clear, I can't paint anythin' into existence here now that I been cut off from the Outer God.

But I do know this sea and this Go board better than anyone, and thanks to that, I can see a path to victory.

You can!? That's great! What do we have to do?

We use the gaps between the board's spaces.

You guys prob'ly already know this, but those gaps are each their own narrow cul-de-sacs. They're so narrow there's no way the Nautilus could get inside.

They might be a little tough ta aim for, but once ya know the trick, they're useless as hidin' places. That's what you guys thought they were, right?

You mean they're not?

Nope. They actually work just like a real Go board. Any place you surround? That becomes your territory.

When you take over the smallest units of space, you cut off the moves your opponent can make with their Go stones and open up more for yourself.

So if you guys take over the gaps right at the big gal's corners and make the space she's in your territory...

...you'll be able to jump right into her center, no problem!

Huh? So, put another way, if we occupy the four corners that make up the giant square area where Professor Van GoghI mean, the enemy is, we'll be able to just noclip right into heruh, them?

You got it! Pretty clever, right?

There is one thing I still don't understand. Why did you make such an elaborate mechanism only to never use it in the fourth area?

...'Cause right when I was plannin' to put down a bunch of Go stones and set a trap for you guys, you crushed the board with your Vajra thingy...

？！

If it's possible for us to warp directly inside the enemy's massive body, that'll save us a lot of time compared to cutting our way through.

Definitely. But to do that, we'll first need to seize control of these four Go Board Spaces, and with as few people as possible.

Once we've done that, we'll cut down any obstacles we run into inside the enemy and rescue Van Gogh in the center.

Afterwards, we'll fire Raikou's lightning attack into the heart of the enemy's body to destroy it from the inside!

I see. Then our team formations all but decide themselves.

Raikou will assume torpedo duties. Lambdaryllis will be our legs. And Fran will deliver the final blows and aid in any rescues.

If I must. Since my penguins will have to be out there the whole time, I'll escort you all into the deep myself.

？！

Fujimaru, since you will be unable to accompany them, we should have Fran carry a camera or something so you can see what is taking place.

Now, let's see... We will not need to worry about sonar while seizing control of these four points, so Osakabe and Yang Guifei can take one point each.

However, that still leaves two other fighter positions. And since Mash must protect the ship, I suppose I will just have to fill one of them myself.

？！

If all I need to do is seize a single point of territory, then I should be fine. However, I do not expect to be of any use in battle, so I will be counting on you to handle that, Fujimaru.

All right, now that it looks like my work here's done, I'm just gonna head out back an' paint a fisherperson's banner or somethin' for good luck.

Nonsense. You will seize the last point. Do you not see the swimsuit I have ready for you?

Aaaaaah! Nooo! Anythin' but thaaat!

？！

Oh man, I'm wearin' it! This is so embarrassin'!

Oh well, I guess there's worse things I could be wearin' when I go apologize to Van Gogh...

All right, if this is what this Edoite's gotta do ta make things right, I ain't gonna back down!

？！

All right, then let's get started right

Gah! What was that!?

Ghh... I'm okay! I've toughened up a good bit since the last time!

I just heard a voice from the giant enemy structure up ahead!

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Basically... "Stay away"!

Hehe, what do you say, Acting Commander? Shall we just give up then?

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That's what I thought!

...Incidentally, the voice was only the beginning. We've also got a ton of enemies, including some that look kind of like torpedoes, headed straight for us!

I don't think our autonomous defenses will be able to handle them all! Can we fend them off ourselves!?

Oh please, who do you think we are? This will be the perfect little warm-up right before the big show.

Oh yes. I was just getting a bit tired of only throwing torpedoes around anyway, so I'll gladly take this opportunity to show what my blade can do in close-quarters combat.

I guess I don't mind getting a little hot!

It's true, Master! It feels like the enemy isn't just trying to attack us!

That's correct. Half of these warheads consist of A-rank explosives, while the other half are made up of resources and healing spells.

If they weren't healing us at the same time they're hitting us, we might have already be just so much flotsam!

？！

Captain! This has to be Goghie's doing!

Right! Her mind is clearly split between one half trying to give itself over to the evil gods, and the other half trying to rid itself of their influence!

If these attacks would just let up a bit, then we'd be able to go on the offensive ourselves!

As a Phantom Spirit myself, I can tell she's trying to fight this!

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？！

...!

Yang Guifei! Can you amplify my voice enough for Van Gogh to hear me!?

You got it! You might want to cover your ears; it's gonna be really, really loud!

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Right. I'll be as clear as a crystal jellyfish!

...ell...

...Tell us...

This is Captain Nemo of the Nautilus! I repeat! Tell us your name!

That's right! Your name! The name you want to go by! Whatever name that is, it's okay!

The battle for your name is also a battle for your sense of self! It's not easy by any means, but only you can fight it!

Because what you gain from winning is the most precious thing of all!

It doesn't matter how silly your name is, or even how evil! Fujimaru will accept it, I promise!

Whatever happens, I promise Chaldea will be there for you! And of course, I...Captain Nemo, will, too! We won't abandon you!

So don't give up! Fight! Do whatever it takes to win! Even if only for one brief moment, you must overcome the enemy!

Once again, I repeat: tell us your name!

Whatever it is, the Nautilus will rescue you in whatever way you need!

Wh-what's going on!?

The enemy's projectiles are now sixty percent support resources and rising! Seventy percent... Eighty...

Whoa, they just hit a hundred percent! Our resource gauge is overflowing! Aw man, what a waste!

Was that a response!?

Huh!? Hang on, let me just adjust the frequency No, wait! She's adjusting it on her own!

Aaaaaaaaaaaa

Ooooooooooou

Eeeeeeaaaaar me? Can you hear me!?

I'm... I'm

I'm Clytie! And I'm Van Gogh! I'm Clytie van Gogh!!!

I can't give up being Van Gogh! And I can't deny being Clytie, either!

I know I'm a strange, bizarre, and creepy Servant, but, even so...

If you say I really can go by that name, then...

...Ehehe! I'd be so happy if you saved me!