Section 10: Bye-Bye, Jurassic

There, we made it to the tavern! How'd it go with you, Achilles!?

Oh hey, you're here. Well, I took down my leader at the same time you guys took down yours, but...

Hah hah haaa! Hah hah haaa!

I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna seize my dreams! I'm gonna seize my dreams!

Uh-oh. Did we... Did we do it wrong?

The mass-produced Columbuses are going berserk!

Oh, that's probably 'cause they've been drinking.

Now what do we do!? The way things are going

Hold it right there!

!?

Someone just sent the mass-produced Columbuses flying!

Heh. I knew something was wrong about whatever was going on here.

？！

This ain't right. This ain't right at all. There are some lines you just don't cross, no matter what.

Even Columbus has rights... A life... Feelings... And you ignored them all!

How can you still call yourselves human!?

？！

Y-yes, it is! His Spirit Origin matches the one in Chaldea's database exactly!

He must have been drawn into this Singularity!

Leave these factory copies to me! But don't get me wrong here!

I'm just BURNING with righteous anger at seeing myself exploited like this!

I'm...DEFINITELY not thinking about how great it'd be to have these copies myself!

？！

Thanks, Master. All right... Bring it on!

You're not taking one step past me! Now line up single file so you don't get too damaged!

...At least until I cut ya down!

Hah hah haaa!

Okay, looks like we're in the clear! Now's our chance to find the basement!

The basement? Ye sure there's one ta be found in this tavern?

You're still here?

There weren't really a good time ta leave, so...

Oh yes, we're sure. Hehehe.

？！

Where is it!?

That's strange... Did we read the map wrong?

Hmm, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure we nailed that part.

No matter how you slice it, it's gotta be down here beneath us.

But if this place had a basement, that ground here'd be hollow, right?

And as far as I can tell, this all feels like solid ground.

Hmm, that's true...

O' course there ain't a basement in here.

Not unless there's a heavily reinforced hidden door that leads ta one somewhere!

？！

Hmm. So what, you think there could be a button hidden somewhere among these bottles?

And if we find something that sticks out and press it...

...a door to the secret basement will just magically reveal itself and open up for us?

Hahaha. Don't be ridiculous. There's no way something that absurd could happen.

？！

How?

You did it, Director! That was an amazing deduction!

I... Uh...

Damn, way to go, Gof!

(I was just messing around! I didn't actually do anything noteworthy!)

Guess we'd better go in then. Oh, but we should decide on the order first.

I'll be the vanguard.

What, you too fast to think straight?

You'd only last in a commando unit, not the vanguard!

Mandricardo. You go.

'Kay. I'll do it. Well, I'll try. Master, Da Vinci, would you two come with me?

Sure.

？！

C'mon, Shielder, let's go.

Right!

Come on, Char. We're going, too.

Okay!

You better believe I'm coming along, too! Us Berserker gals are unstoppable together!

You're the only Berserker here.

Oh, um...yeah. I guess I am, huh? But, hey! Maybe you two would make good Berserkers yourselves someday?

Now what are you on about!?

... ...

Though I can't deny you have a point!

Sure we can!

... ...

Well... Um... I guess you could say there are some things I go berserk over...

Right? We're all summer Berserkers.

...Well, a normal Berserker, in Nagiko's case. Anyway, let's go, shall we?

Okay! Hell yeah!

Guess you and I are bringing up the rear then!

Sounds good!

... ...

Huh? What is it?

Oh, well...

I was just sure you'd say something like "Great, I'm stuck with a guy."

Huh? Rear guard is an important job.

I don't care if my partner is male, female, or whatever.

Only thing that matters is that they don't betray you.

Dahaha! Old Blackbeard!? Betray you!?

You'd sooner see heaven and earth change positions!

That wouldn't stop you from betraying us. You'd just do a headstand and say heaven and earth actually change positions.

...Ah, regarding that matter...it was my secretary, you see. All my secretary. I had no knowledge of actions taken there. None whatsoever.

But I will do my best to make amends in a reactive manner.

Oho, is that so?

Well hey, I'll just say this: I'm almost positive you won't actually betray us.

Oho. And why is that?

Well, because...

Hmm... There aren't any traps here. But...I do smell blood.

Blood?

Found it. It was coming from this Demonic Beast. You can see for yourselves..

It's dead, obviously.

Looks like it was done with a sword, and I think I recognize the bladework.

Did an enemy inflict them?

No. I think...it might've been an ally?

？！

...

Sorry, but I've gotta go on ahead.

Don't worry, it doesn't look like there're any traps. It's a straight shot all the way there.

That said...

？！

No, it doesn't... I can feel it, too.

I can even feel it from way back here. Although...

？！

I think this is her sword spirit.

Her who?

You know, her. ...Okita Alter.

？！

No, I think he's right. ...Take a look. She's over there.

...Hello, everyone. Welcome to the seventh treasure.

But I'm afraid I can't let you go any further. Please turn back now.

Great... So they really did make their way here.

I don't understand. What are you talking about?

I've decided to protect this place.

So I'm treating everything besides what I'm protecting as a threat.

I wish I didn't have to oppose you all like this. It honestly breaks my heart a little.

But there's something here I need to protect, no matter what.

...Even if it means going up against you, Master.

Wait. So you're our enemy now!? But...why!?

Wh-what are you saying, Okita Alter!? Please, tell us what's going on!

My wielder's not happy about the conclusion.

？！

I know this is selfish of her, and that this will probably all end up being a big waste of time...

...but would you please humor her anyway?

If you insist on trying to get past me, then I'll have no choice but to put up a fight. If I should win, I want you to leave peacefully.

... ...You heard her, Fujimaru.

It looks like our hands might be tied here.

？！

I'm sorry, Master. But...I just don't want to see anyone suffer.

So I'm afraid I can't hold back. Please be careful, okay? I'm really very strong, you know.

？！

I'm sorry about this, Wielder's Master!

All right...here we come!

Why you...!

Nnn, I'm not getting anywhere against them.

Me neither. I'm sorry I'm so weak!

It's not you. She's fighting purely defensively, and that makes this one hell of a tough fight.

Can you blame us? We never expected to win against so many people.

...They're here. It's them.

Ahahahaha. Looks like you're having a rough time, Leonardo!

That irritating voice! You!?

It's me!

Wait. Were you guys betrayed by your own ally? Isn't Chaldea supposed to be all about teamwork?

Right, DOUMAN!?

Mmmmmm! Indeed, I suspect you couldn't possibly be more right!

(Dunno if you noticed, kid, but the creep behind you doesn't seem too big on loyalty either. Hope you know what you're doing.)

Never mind that!

First, tell me something: Is Steggy okay?

Of course he is!

Steggy!

Whoa there. Not so fast. This little guy is mine now, remember?

Grrr!

Ahahaha.

So hey, now that we're all here, how about we make a deal?

A deal? Like what? You want us to buy Steggy off you after you stole him from us?

Hah, like I'd ever sell something so priceless. No, I'm talking about her.

How about we team up to take Okita Alter there down?

...Hmm.

Huh!?

Who'd ever wanna team up with a jerk like you!? Bleeeah!

That might be how you feel, Leonardo, but how about you, Captain Gof?

Uh... I take it that after we defeat Okita Souji, we'll go right back to being enemies?

Well, yeah, pretty much. We can't both take home the treasure she's guarding now, can we?

What do you think, Fujimaru?

？！

Huh!?

No way! I hate this kid!

Hahaha, don't worry, I hate you, too!

Grrr!

Mmmmmm.

What a truly childish dispute! (Sigh) I certainly have no interest in such matters...

Nor do I find them at all entertaining.

So!

May I suggest that you two put aside your differences for now and work hand in hand to achieve victory?

Wow, Mambo-chan makes a pretty compelling case.

Uh, no. He really doesn't.

Yeah, that figures! Believe me, I didn't want to team up with you Chaldea chumps, anyway!

And especially not with Servants!

I'm the guy who gives orders! I don't take them!

There's no way I'd ever serve a place like Chaldea!

True, you never have been all that helpful (at least not if your grown-up self is anything to go by)...

？！

Really? Wow, sounds like grown-up me's a really great guy then.

... ...

Hey, why'd you all get quiet?

Now, now. Now, now, now.

Anyway, if you're not gonna cooperate, then you guys can handle her alone, okay!?

We'll just wait over here until you're done!

Kids are cute and all, but not when they're being bratty! Always taking the easy way just means you'll grow up into a lousy adult, you know!

So what, you're saying I should be working hard? That adversity builds character?

No way! I'm pawning any hard work I can off on whoever I can, as soon as I can! Always!

Wow, forget about adult. He's not even a good kid!

Hmph. Come on, Fujimaru!

I guess you really aren't going to give up, are you?

I see Christopher Columbus is here, too. Did you team up or something?

We sure did!

Though of course, all bets are off as soon as we're done taking care of you!

Nope! I'm leaving the hard work to them. I'm just taking the goodies!

...Well, that's okay, too.

Ah! Hey! Settle down!

...!

Okita Alter?

Even if the rest of you get past us, I can't let that dinosaur go beyond this point!

...Hmm.

Whup. You're planning something naughty, aren't you, Mambo-chan?

Me? Not at all. At the moment, I am but this young boy's faithful assistant.

Suuure you are.

Hahahahaha.

...I knew it. There's something to do with Steggy up ahead, isn't there?

Do you know what it is, Chris?

No, I don't. But I do know this.

Whatever it might be, it is without question...

...an incredible treasure that entrances anyone who lays eyes on it!

Steggy...

Well, whatever that treasure may be...

...if Steggy wants it, then we have to go after it.

...Then I guess there's no way around this.

...Rengoku.

(Sigh...) We're really doing it, huh?

Yes, we are.

Fine, okay.

My job's not to decide whether you're making the right decision, anyway!

Aah! What just happened!?

Oh my. My, my, my.

Fuuusion!

？！

That's right, Master. This is my true formthe one that returns all things to infinity.

She's not as agile in this form, but her offensive and defensive capabilities are on a whole other level.

Be careful, Wielder's Master. We're not messing around.

No, we're not. This Spirit Origin is adjusted to my true class. Meaning...

I am a Heroic Spirit of the swordMajin Saber!

Look out, Senpai! Here she comes!

I hope things go better this time than they did last time!

？！

？！

Okay. Then I'll

Right on! Let's show her how fast we can really move when we want to!

Got it!

Whoa there! Don't go forgetting about us!

I might be incredibly clumsy, but I can still do illusions with my stage magic!

...Maybe this isn't how I'm supposed to use it, but who cares!

Heh... You might not think so from looking at me, but I'm actually quite confident in my speed. I'd say it's around B-rank.

Whoa, that's not bad.

Technically it's not so much my speed as it is the speed of my attacks!

Even now that I'm an Archer, I'm still not personally all that fast.

So, even running as quickly as I could, I'm not that much faster than in my Caster Spirit Origin...

I was very disappointed when I couldn't even reach Mach 1...

Talk about setting your sights high!

Heh... As luck would have it, my engine's all done warming up.

So now time to rev this baby and bring the heat! I'll make it hot enough remind Altercchi of her days next to the boiler room!

？！

Oh, oh, oh! First thing we have to do is...

...come up with a good team name now that we're all finally working together!

How about "The Goredolfs"?

Absolutely not!

Are you kidding me with that crap!?

We've been using my ship all this time, so we should obviously call ourselves "The E. Teach Pirates"!

What about..."Viy Ambitious"?

Ooh, I've got one! Let's go with "Corday's Magical Magicians"!

Whoa, whoa, hold on. Is now really the time for this!?

What do you think, Achi!?

Me!? W-well, uh...

... ...

M-maybe... "Chiron's Classroom"?

Gaaah! No, no, no! You're entirely on the wrong track!

I mean, Chiron isn't even here.

Oh, we could always go get him!

...Hey, guys?

Could you maybe save the team name argument until after you're done fighting?

G-good point! We'll need to focus if we're going to defeat Okita Alter, Master!

Okay, got it! Guess I'll pitch in, then!

DOUMAN!

Me? Yes, yes, of course I'd be glad to help!

Wait, so you ARE asking me for help then? Isn't that kind of pathetic, mister?

Oh well, if you need my help that badly, I guess I can't turn you down.

Go get 'em, DOUMAN!

Mmmmmm... I suppose I should have seen this coming.

I can't say I'm happy about this, but oh well. If I must help, then so be it!

All right then...let's get cursing♡

♡? Really?

...Oh?

That's strange. Perhaps this summer's madness has affected me more than I realized.

Nah, you know what?

It totally works!

You could take on the world with that kind of talent! I know! We could try to reach the top of the cursing idol world together!

Stop! STOP! Please! Stop trying to apply modern makeup to me!

Well, it looks like this will be my first attempt at performing a curse while in makeup!

Hmm. Looks like they're not about to hold back, either.

But it doesn't matter! I'm not letting anyone past this point!

Wielder.

Hm?

Are you sure about this?

...I am. Sorry to keep dragging you into things like this, Rengoku.

I see... Very well then. If that is what you want, then on my honor, I will carve a path forward for you!

I am Majin Saber, Guardian of the Counter Force...

Also known as Okita Souji Alternative! Now, have at you!

Gnn...!

All right!

Go, Leonardooo!

Gotchaaa!

Khh!

...I should have known you would be formidable opponents.

Hmm. It seems to me this battle is over, no?

...

He's right, Wielder.

We did it!

Way to...not go! What the hell was that!?

Come on, can't you just congratulate us? Ugh, you're so annoying.

Me!? No, you're annoying!

Excuse you?

And how, EXACTLY, am I annoying!?

Ow ow ow ow! Stop pinching my cheek! That hurts!

Would you be so kind as to release him, Lady Da Vinci? He is still my employer, after all...

Tch.

？！

Yes, I know. I gave it my all, and I lost. I have no right to stop you now.

...You can pass.

But I'm coming with you. I need to see this through to the end.

See it through to the end? Is there still more to this place?

I mean, besides the Holy Grail fragment, obviously.

It's this way. Follow me.

Steggy.

Is this where you wanted to come?

Master... Da Vinci... Are you seeing this!?

Is that...amber? But, I've never seen so much in one place. And then there's...

I can't believe it... This...this must be the dinosaur's

Yup. It's his parent. Though I can't tell from here whether its his mother or his father.

So this is...the seventh treasure...

It does seem like it's imbued with magical energy, but...

Hold Steggy tight, Leonardo.

If you let him get too close, his wish'll be granted.

What do you mean by

How have you not worked this out yet?

What else would a little kid want other than to be reunited with his loving parent?

...!

... ...

Hang on. What's wrong with that? Why not let him have his wish?

Uh, 'cause he'll die?

Huh?

Duh.

His parent there is a hundred and fifty million year-old fossil.

Even a Holy Grail can't possibly bring something so old back to life.

It's all the Grail can do to keep even that teeny-weeny dinosaur alive.

So granting Steggy's wish pretty much means killing him.

...Still, isn't that just the natural way of things?

Oh, I don't know about that. What do you think, DOUMAN?

Hahaha, the natural way of things!? You can feed that to the dogs as far as I'm concerned!

Bending nature and reason to our will to get what we desire is exactly what makes us human!

So I say you should do as you wish.

？！

Why, bring Steggy home alive, of course!

And who knows? I might even be able to connect with some mages who can help me preserve him and breed more stegosauruses.

Hmm. Would it animating him even following his demise be acceptable?

Of course not!

Well, I thought I would bring it up just in case!

So, how about you, Leonardo da Vinci!? What would you do!?

...Oh, wait, that's not right, is it? What would you do if you were actually Leonardo?

...!

What kind of dream is that? You're so boring.

Huh? How is that boring?

Going out to sea and searching for treasure that doesn't even exist? That's got nothing on my dream.

Are you kidding!?

The world is huge! I just know there's still lots of treasure out there for the taking!

So I'm gonna take it, and I'm gonna be rich, and I'm gonna become a king who tells everyone else what to do!

Ahaha. You're so dumb!

At least it's better than being an artist! The best you could do is make a bunch of dumb old scribbles!

You take that back!

You first!

You know, if you say you're gonna look for treasure, you should say you're gonna find something way more amazing than money.

What's more amazing than money?

I don't know... A dragon?

A dragon? No such thing!

Well, maybe there used to be.

Lot of good that does now.

You don't get it, do you? That means their bones could be around somewhere.

Huh? Bones?

So hey, if you find any dragon bones, let me know. I'll buy 'em off you.

... ...

Who cares about dumb old bones? I'm gonna find a real, live dragon!

Wouldn't you rather have a live dragon than a bunch of old bones?

Well... Yeah, sure, but

Okay then!

I'm gonna find a real dragon, and I'll sell it to you for everything you own!

Sooo greedy!

...But, okay, sure. If you really do find a living dragon, I'll buy it.

But if it's a fake, I'm gonna make YOU pay instead!

Deal! Promise, yeah? It's a promise!

Yeah, yeah.

And by the time you find it, I'm gonna be a great artist! So great even an ignorant sailor like you'll know about me!

... ...

...I...

Well!? If you really have it in you to kill Steggy, go right ahead!

... ...

Technical Advisor. No... Da Vinci.

As the director of Chaldea, let me offer some advice. I think we should consider the dinosaur's desires here, too.

What Steggy wants...?

...Hey, Steggy? Do you want to go back home?

...Right. Of course.

This isn't your time, and you don't have any friends or family here.

...Come on, Steggy. It's time for you to go home.

DOUMAN!

Understood!

？！

... ...

？！

You left out the heart at the end there, but it'll have to do.

So, on that note: nice try♪

Huh!? What is this nasty spell!?

Hello, DOUMAN. And goodbye forever♪

This!? This is noth

Unfortunately for you, I already figured out your little play spells, so they won't do aaanything without my say-so.

...It seems I have let this summer madness get the better of me. Is this the end for me?

Mmmmmm, but no. What a waste it would be to let things end this way!

I suppose I'll just have to employ my emergency measures.

I trust you have no objections, Christopher?

Huh?

I don't know. I'm getting an incredibly bad feeling about these emergency measures of yours.

And for good reason.

Christopher. You have been an exceptional employer. Truly.

Hehe... Hehehe... Hahahaha... Hahahaha!

N-no way... Are you betraying me, DOUMAN!?

Mmmmmm!

Why, I would never!

Well, I suppose you might consider this a betrayal, but no, this is established policy! It was bound to happen from the very start!

？！

Ah, but only because I had no other choice! This parting grieves me so! Truly!

Farewell, Christopher. Poor, poor Christopher.

Somebody better pick up that phone, because I CALLED IT!

I saw this coming from the moment I first saw him too.

I, um... Ahahaha, I'll just refrain from commenting again...

Welp, guess he's got my sympathies. Christopher, that is.

P-please take it easy, everyone. Not to say I don't understand where you're coming from!

(Looks like Mash agrees with them deep down.)

You're kidding... This is how you repay me? After everything I did for you?

... ...

Okay, maybe I did force you to work twenty-four hour shifts so you could keep cursing Chaldea all the time...

...and worked you to the bone to upgrade the mass-produced Columbuses into real powerhouses...

...and gave you a bunch of source code that's more angel hair than spaghetti then just demanded you make sense of it in a few short minutes...

...and pushed your deadline up by a month like it was my actual intention to send you over the edge...

But all that aside, I've been really good to you!

Yup, that's Christopher Columbus all right. Wow, I'm actually feeling kind of bad for DOUMAN here...

Gotta say, I'm kinda enjoying this. Guy has it coming.

Damn, Caenis. Not really shy about speaking your mind, are you?

You've been working that much, DOUMAN? Now I feel kind of bad for you.

Maybe I should've brought him some oden to cheer him up?

Ooh, that's a great idea, Okita Alter. It's so goddamn hot here, I bet giving him some super hot food would only add to his misery!

I'm afraid I must respectfully decline. Now then...

You should all know that I planted a little curse in young Christopher's head.

He doesn't have any power of his own, you see. Not even much in the way of magical energy.

To be quite honest, I'm not even sure he really is the Heroic Spirit of Christopher Columbus.

But my little trick was a way of preparing to remedy all that at once.

Huh!? What did you do to me!?

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't actually do anything to you per se.

I did it to the many Spirit Origins that synch and resonate with yours: the mass-produced Columbuses. Now, come forth!

Hah hah haaa!

And now...

I'm going to shoot them at you, Christopheeer!

Huh!?

Mmmmmm hahahahahahahaha! Now, tell me: What do you think they will become!?

Go on! Imagine!

Well!

I'm actually not certain myself, but I can make some educated guesses though!

Isn't that incredibly irresponsible!? Even for you!?

True.

All I, too, know for certain is that it will indeed be nothing good.

However! It will still be sufficient revenge for the many hours of overwork demanded of me!

Mmm, mmmmmm!

Yes, this will truly, truly... And I very rarely say this...

This will make me feel so much better!

Fou fou, fou!

？！

Now, go on! Go on!

Let us see what we get! I can't wait to find out!

Enjoying the year-round tropical ocean? Well, just a moment, kids! We'll be right back after these messages!

What is this, a commercial break!? ...Should I throw some eye-catches in just to be safe, Master?

？！

Ghh... Ghh... Something's happening to me...!

Damn you, DOUMAN! I'll get you for this!

I'm gonna jam so many hard-boiled eggs down your throat you'll be coughing up shell for a week!

My, oh my, what a truly bizarre and specific threat, especially for one thought up on the spot. What a naughty child you are. I'm truly impressed.

... ...

Ah.

...Huh?

？！

... ...

Um, what's going on? Why is he sweating like that?

What did he do!?

...Ohh, I see what's going on.

Huh? What do you mean? Tell us, Ms. Kamacho!

Well, I'm sort of guessing here, but...

I don't think he'd actually made up his mind about what he was going to do with Chris.

I-I see. You mean, as in what to turn him into?

That's right.

Normally, you'd figure some kind of giant ghost or dragon in cases like this, and I think that's probably what DOUMAN had in mind...

But then, Chris went and said:

"I'm gonna jam so many hard-boiled eggs down your throat you'll be coughing up shell for a week!"

Right?

Hmm. But like, when you're cursing someone, isn't it kinda bad to hear stuff that might put weird thoughts in your head?

Absolutely♡

Ohh, now I get it. So when he heard that, the first thing he thought of was...

Eggs!

Right. Not to mention that Columbus probably already has a strong affinity for eggs.

True or not, stories like the Egg of Columbus are talked about often, even today.

DOUMAN...

I'm gonna...get you for thiiis!

Mmmmmm. Well, on that note, I'll just be taking my leaHuh!?

Hehehehe, you're not going anywhere!

Master, you take care of Chris while I keep an eye on DOUMAN here!

？！

Chris!?

...Ah, whatever.

If I'm gonna transform into a monster anyway...I'll just wipe you Chaldea jerks out myself!

Think positive, I always say! It's my family motto for a reason!

...Oh no.

If this keeps going, the precious treasure will be destroyed.

Then I guess we don't have a choice. Char, Nagiko, Mandricardo.

Hm?

Master, the four of us will protect the treasure with our lives.

In the meantime, you, Da Vinci, Mash, and the others need to destroy that...thing as quickly as possible!

？！

Understood! I'll figure out some way to trick him with my illusions!

I might not measure up to Hektor, but I can hold my own in a fight, especially on defense.

Okay! Let's do this!

Guess that puts me, Okita Alter, Blackbeard, and Caenis on offense.

Hear that, guys? Time to smash a freaky egg!

You got it!

Well, I'll admit, the idea of fleeing by myself did cross my mind, but...

Well, hey.

What could possibly be more fun than being together with Master?

When you drop truth like that, what can a guy do?

So okay! On my pirate's honor, I'm gonna keep attacking till I can't attack no more!

...You heard them, Rengoku.

So let's go all out for this fight, okay? People like that deserve to go out on a high note.

Fine with me.

Besides, this'll be nothing compared to our earlier fight. Especially for you, Wielder!

As for me, I'll just be back here staying out of everyone's way. Good luck!

Huh? The hell you talking about, Gof?

Your place is on the front line. Obviously.

But why!? I want to stay AWAY from the danger, not run toward it!

'Cause it'll be easier for me to protect you that way! Besides...

How're we supposed to win with our general off in the back!?

!

So just stay there, got it!?

A-all right... If I must.

Now, as for you, Leonardo da Vinci!

Hm?

...Hang in there!

You know I will, Gordy!

？！

...Okay.

Steggy doesn't belong here. He's from ancient times, long before humans dominated the world.

...So if nothing else, I want our goodbye to be a happy one.

...Here I come, Chris!

Haha... Hah hah haaa... You think it'll be that easy?

Fear it. Praise it. Savor it. This...is Christopher Columbus's egg!!!

Ghh... Ghh...!

This...ends...NOW!

？！

Whoa! That was a hell of a spectacle!

Though I gotta say, that egg? Seriously freaky stuff.

I couldn't look directly at it without getting a headache.

I don't think I'll be eating eggs for...a while now.

This is all your fault, Mambo! What're you gonna do about it!?

Mmmmmm, yes, my most humble apologies!

I am the very picture of contrition, as you can see.

？！

I've subdued DOUMAN.

Murasaki Shikibu's tips about how to deal with him are more effective than I expected...

So I'm going to seal him away so he can't get up to any more mischief.

Er, Lady Kama? What are you doing with that jar?

Surely you don't mean to seal me away by cramming me into that tiny thing, do you?

You mustn't! Yes, I am a monk of many talents, but I remain an amateur in the realm of yog

Just be grateful this isn't a Vritra block!

Hey, Chris? Are you still alive?

Yeah...I think so. But, why am I so...sticky?

Well, you were trapped in an egg, so...probably yolk and stuff?

Gaah! Get it off me! I'm a neat freak, you know! Water! I need a bath! A shower! Anything!

Okay, okay, hang on. I think I've still got some in my canteen...

Phew.

... ...So, I lost, huh?

Yup. You lost. We won.

...Oh well, I guess that's how it goes sometimes. But hey, Leonardo?

Yeah?

You're okay with this?

...Yeah. I am.

Got it. So, uh... Master of Chaldea?

Can I stay and watch to the end? I promise I won't get in the way anymore.

？！

Thanks. Oh, could I also get a wet towel? And some deodorant?

Also, I'm kind of hungry. Do you have anything to eat? Don't forget my allowance.

Are you aware your requests are getting more brazen by the second!?

I was just kidding...mostly. So...shall we, Leonardo?

...Yeah. Let's go.

...It's even more incredible up close...

I think...this has to be Steggy's mother or father, right?

...I think so, too. Look. See that indentation down there?

That's the answer.

...Ah, I see. Now I understand.

That's where Steggy came from, right beneath the big dinosaur.

Yeah. The big one must have been shielding him.

I can't believe something like this was right beneath me back when I was alive...

I'm glad I didn't find it then, though.

Back then, I wouldn't have thought twice about smashing it and selling it piece by piece.

Blackbeard...

Blackbeard, you bastard...

Hey, like I said, that was when I was still alive, not now!

...It's glowing a little. It must be the Holy Grail reacting.

Okay. Here, Steggy.

This is what you want, right? ...It must be.

Well, go on then.

... ...

...(Sniff) ...(Holding back tears)

...I... I changed my mind. I don't wanna do this!

I wanna keep this dinosaur for myself!

Stop it, Chris. That's just your childish selfishness speaking.

A true grown-up understands that things must be returned to their rightful place.

...If that dinosaur were truly a living creature, then your feelings would be commendable.

But this is nothing like abandoning a pet because you simply can't be bothered to care for it anymore.

This is a ritual to return a being that no longer exists in this world to its proper place.

Da Vinci understands that.

... ...Dammit...

...It's okay, Steggy. This is what you wanted. Go on now.

The Holy Grail is collecting the rest of its power...

It must be hard for him to walk like that.

Steggy!

...Goodbye.

？！

Goodbye, Steggy...

Steggy...

Aw maaan. He really went back.

Only to what he was before. It's nothing to be sad about.

Isn't that right, Technical Advisor?

...Okay, let's go home!

All right, everyone, let's start packing up!

？！

Right! Come on, Fou! We've got a lot of work to do!

Ugh, I do hate cleanup duty.

I know. Come on, the sooner we all do our part, the sooner we'll all be done.

So, Master. What should we do about this oversized trash?

？！

You know. This.

Yes, it is I. I'm still in this jar.

We could put it with the burnable trash. Oh, but normal fire might not be enough, huh?

Hard claws and such go in nonburnable trash. Don't forget to tie the bag nice and tight.

You're going to tear off my fingernails!?

Now, now, guys. Mambo-chan didn't mean any har

No, wait. He totally did, didn't he?

But, you know, he's also quick on his feet...

No, wait. Is that just deviousness?

Well, uh, at least he has a...cute...smile? No, sorry, that's pretty creepy, too. Hmm...

Why, I'm nothing if not amenable. Here, see? Even now, I'm smiling right here in my jar.

(Shivers)

Well, we can always decide what to do with him after we've consulted with Chaldea's resident experts, right?

Mmmmmm? Experts? Ahh, I take it you mean Lord Holmes?

？！

I'm sensing a distinct bias in your choice of consultants, Master!

'Kaaay.

Now that we have a plan for you, you sit tight until we're ready to deal with you, okay?

Gaaargh!

Oh, there ye are!

？！

Aye, that's me. I just wanted ta say thanks.

Thanks? For what?

I couldn't believe it when I saw that thing movin' in the cave... What a time ta be alive!

？！

So thanks for everything! And I'm sorry for everything, too!

Oh, no. It was no trouble...

Then, fare ye welll! Hope to see ye again someday!

I wonder what that was all about? I wasn't entirely sure what he meant...

Beats me. ...Hm? Where's Da Vinci?

I don't see her or kid Columbus anywhere.

？！

All that aside, I still can't believe they actually met each other while they were still alive.

I'm not so sure about that.

Chris's memories are fairly hazy, to say nothing of Da Vinci's.

It's entirely possible that they simply made similar promises with other people and haven't realized their error.

And it's not as though we have any records of either of them claiming to have met the other during their lives.

Besides, while I forget who said this...

We can't even be fully sure if that boy is really Columbus or not.

He could simply be modeled off the childhood form of a Heroic Spirit whose background was completely unknown before he became famous...

The crystalized concept of a boy chasing his dreams... Not really the strangest thing to happen.

Well that's not romantic at all.

Why can't we just say they really did meet in real life and they miraculously managed to be reunited here?

At least, that's what I think happened!

Right!?

Me too!

Whether they did meet before, or this was their first time...the important thing is that they met now.

？！

Aw man. So this minute Singularity's going away soon, huh?

Well, that's no fun.

Of course it is. That's the whole reason Chaldea exists, after all.

...Are you really the kid I met back then? I mean, I know there's no point in asking you, but still.

No, there isn't. I don't remember it, and there's nothing in my records about it, either.

It's just a possible thing that may have happened, nothing more. And it's not like you remember either, right?

No, I don't. Heck, am I even Christopher Columbus?

Beats me.

...Round one.

Huh?

We're gonna hold a "This is what I loved about Steggy" tournament. Whoever can't think of something to say first loses.

My turn. I loved the way he munched on ferns.

Wha? No fair! Um... Uh...

Well, I loved the way he'd crane his head around whenever something surprising happened!

I loved how he'd flail around on the ground whenever his stomach was itchy!

I loved how he'd trip and fall on nothing in particular, then cock his head as if wondering what had happened!

Uh... I loved how he ate ferns.

Oh, wait. Did I already say that?

You might've. But I think that's enough, anyway.

So who won?

Me.

Isn't it me, since it ended on my turn?

I think I said two things on one of my turns, so no, I win.

...Yeah, okay.

Good. Well, guess it's time to say goodbye.

Anything you want to say before we go?

Not especially.

I did what I wanted to do.

I didn't get what I wanted, but I also didn't give up until the very end, either.

It's too bad things didn't work out this time, but there's always next time.

Oh, and, I guess...

I'm happy to know I turn out to be such a badass when I grow up!

I really think you should focus more on what's on the inside than on the outside.

You're one to talk. You artists are all about what's on the outside.

Grr.

Oh, looks like I'm starting to disappear. Okay, one last thing.

I had a lot of fun here, Leonardo. Did you?

...Yeah. I did.

Goodbye, Chris. Until we meet again...take care.