Section 3: Go Forth, Adventurers, Then Return

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... ...

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Yeah... I couldn't believe how many of them there were...

I know we're still in the simulator, but I was genuinely afraid for my life when I saw we'd have to face a hundred Pumpkin Heads...

And it didn't help matters any when you-know-who over here started singing...

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Right?

Hey, I just saved your lives! Not even a "thank-you"!?

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...

O-ooh, that was nice. I liked that.

There's something about hearing an earnest expression of gratitude that really tugs at your heartstrings... I'll have to remember that.

Anyway, I'm just glad there weren't any other Servants here this time around.

...Especially after what happened last time...

Heh.

I might be (a) Brave, but all I remember about this is how terrified I was.

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Well...

It's hot! So hoooooot!

Yow! Magma! Magma splashed on me! Hot!

A-are you okay!?

Maaaaaash!

Behind my shield!? U-understood!

You too, Master! It's dangerous here, so please hide behind my shield!

S-Sorry, but me too, please! With my thighs exposed like this...!

W-We're like sardines in a can!

Thanks for the offer. Your consideration is all I need. I've got this hood to protect me, so I'll make it through.

When you're on an adventurous journey, countermeasures against heat are a must. Though I have to say lava was unexpected.

Hahaha, unnecessary! It'll take more than this kind of heat to injure an oni's skin!

I'm fine here. Use the space to protect your weak bodies instead.

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Argh, this... Move over a little, Nitocris!

No way! If my body pokes out any more, my thighs will... My thighs will...!

It's so hooooooooot!

This is bad. Hey, we've got some enemies.

Enemies? There are enemies here...?

What's that queen thinking!? Here! In the Lava Zone! Why!? Why would she put enemies here!?

This is the only path that leads to the pyramid! Why is there lava here anyway!?

Do they use this path themselves to get to town!? Are they stupid? Are they morons!?

...It seems the excessive stress has...temporarily enhanced her intelligence...

I understand your frustration, but now's not the time! Get ready to fight!

I'll kill whoever thought of this map!

(Panting) I-I did it... I sure did it...

N-Now then, let's keep moving!

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What's wrong, Master? You're not looking too well...

Not too well? More like you look ghastly. Though honestly, it's my type of color.

You may be ill. Maybe your body's out of whack coming from the freezing cold into the scorching heat.

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Fujimaru!? Your brain waves are getting highly unstable!

Is there something abnormal in the area? Maybe there's a statue or book that affects your mental state with just a glance!?

This is the Lava Zone! Nothing like that can be found here!

It's okay, Puppy. With the five of us, it won't matter who we're facing.

Mash is the drum-defense, Nitocris the bass-support. Green is a manager-backup, while Ibaraki and I will be the leads.

I agree... I think it's a good, well-balanced team.

That's the spirit!

There seem to be some Servants waiting, but I'm sure it will be okay with this party.

C'mon, we're almost at the end of this Lava Zone! There's nothing left to fear!

...Oh my.

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... ...

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Th-that's...

The three Servants who Fujimaru keeps calling a "danger beyond all dangers"!

...Also known as the Always-Sneaking-Into-Master's-Bed Trio!

Nah, let's face it. They're monsters.

Oh? Oh my, my, my?

Everyone, did you hear that child's voice just now?

!!!

Oh crap, Minamoto-no-Raikou!?

Indeed I did. I think I just heard "I love you!"

Yes, I'm sure that was towards me.

... (Giggle)

...Hee hee.

(...G-got my No Face May King out in the nick of time...)

(Master...! S-Senpai, are you okay? Deep breaths, deep breaths. We're fine. They haven't found us.)

(Hey, why do we need to hide? We have to defeat them to get through, right?)

(Shh! Just keep silent, Elisabeth. I can spiritually feel it.)

(You may be the root of all negative energy for mankind, but those three are the root of all negative energy for the entire universe...)

(In other words, they are like black holes...!)

(That is correct... You've got a pretty sharp eye there... Minamoto-no-Raikou is especially bad. That woman doesn't have a hitbox!)

Hmm... How odd. I can smell Fujimaru after all.

(Smell? What's up with that Servant...!?)

(Sniff, sniff) Yooo-hoooooo! Fujimaru, are you heeeeeere?

(It's okay, it's okay! Calm down, Master!)

(How traumatized are you...!?)

(You there, are you all right? You've started shaking like jelly...)

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(This may take a while, but let's keep still... They'll eventually leave...)

(But we're still in the Lava Zone, so it's unbearably hot!)

(Would you rather fight those three!?)

(...Well...that's...)

(Right?)

Hmmm... Around here somewhere... Fujimaru, where aaare yoooooouuu?

Playing hide-and-seek, are you? Do you two know a surefire way to win?

?

Vengeful Lightning of the Ox-King!

(What the...!?)

You just go and incinerate places that look like good hiding spots.

Oooh.

(...Why on earth are you contracted to someone like that?)

(...Fujimaru, this may sound obtrusive, but now may be the time to make up your mind.)

(Master...)

(Y-Yes! Understood, Master!)

(I can tell you are mustering up all the courage you have... Now that's what I call an ally!)

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Oh.

Ah!

...Found you...

Sorry, but we need to get past. And no, we're not letting you have Puppy!

We will let you through if you just hand over the child though...

...! I said no!

I saw her hesitate...

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It's okay, Puppy! Don't worry!

...Hey, you foreigner.

Um, me?

Mmhmm. There's something I want you to do with your skills...

Then we have no choice. Let us squash the gypsy moth and take back our beloved child.

Gypsy moth? Who are you talking about?

...Probably you...

Hmm, I see. ...Did you just call me a moth!?

Yes, a moth. See, you have antennae.

Plus you're an eyesore. All those unnecessarily bright colors.

Hehehehe. Hahahaha.

All right, you're dead. I was never afraid of thunder to begin with. Don't you underestimate the thunder of János Hill!

Hehehehe. I'm usually a very lenient person, but...

But with this "Elly" individual I feel... some sort of destined rivalry.

...Um, I would be happy if I could just sneak into Master's bed...

That's a no! Rejected!

(Sniff)

Don't worry, Puppy!

Crimson Hero Elisabeth shall protect you from this sinister, good-for-nothing trio!

...

...Is she a genius at rubbing people the wrong way?

She is an innate airhead...

Now, bring it on!

Urgh...!

Hey, whoa! Why are they so persistent!?

They come back no matter how many times we defeat them! They're like zombies... It's scary!

Who are you calling a zombie? Only one thing keeps this body moving, and that's love!

There's nothing stronger than a mother's love. Nothing in this whole world!

...As I said before, I only want Master to touch me a little.

Like, my head or cheek...

We can't keep this up...

All right, now!

Go, Sougenbi! Great Grudge of Rashomon!

Eek!

Cursed pest...!

Flailing about is useless!

To the three of us who are used to being around lava, your attack was like a gust of refreshing wind!

...Wait, h-huh? Master...? Where did Master go?

There, over there. ...Oh no, don't go that way!

That's hot lava! Wait right there, Mother is coming to save you!

Hyah!

Oh! I shall not fall behind!

Please wait for me, Master!

Huh? Oh, um...

Then me too

Okay, now's our chance!

Ibaraki-Douji, what did you do?

Ah, I asked Nitocris to make a Master decoy doll using her magecraft.

I had the mummies make it while we fought, but I didn't think it would work...

They do say love is blind. Heh heh! I can't believe Raikou actually fell for it!

Keheh, foolish fools! They'll fall into the hot lava and

Think again! All three of them are alive and swimming merrily through it! Let's run while we can!

No way!

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Y-yes! Everyone, let's hurry!!

They're not even oni! How can they jump into boiling lava and still survive!?

It's probably the power of love!

Love? Love is scary!

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Yup.

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That's the power of love, Puppy. At least, that's what I was taught.

Yeah, I...guess that counts as love. Maternal, romantic, and...other...

That aside, people usually don't have trouble recalling memories this intense, or at least bits and pieces of them.

But you don't remember any of this, huh? Weird...

Maybe someone cast some kind of spell on you or something.

It could be like an amnesia spell that only targeted your memories of Halloween. Which should mean it'd be pretty easy to break, but...

(That still doesn't answer the biggest question: WHY would anyone go to so much trouble...?)

All right, I might as well ask: You don't have any idea who might've done this to him, do you?

Of course not!

Yeah, that tracks.

I could see you trying to burn Halloween into his brain, but the opposite? Seems...unlikely.

I'll say. And after all the trouble I went to just to make this year extra special, too...

All right, Master, why don't we keep moving for the time being? Care for a konpeitou?

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Here ya go.

Hey! I want one, too.

Yeah, yeah. Here ya go.

What'd you say this was called? Konpeitou?

It's so pretty I almost don't want to eat it.

But I'm gonna.

All right, we're finally just about done with this stupidly hot lava zone.

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... ...

Um, Puppy? I have some good news, and some bad news.

You sure it's not more like bad news and, well, more bad news?

...Puppy? I have some bad news, and some more bad news.

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The bad news is, there's somebody waiting for us in front of Csejte Pyramid.

Old man Vlad. The Lancer version.

You see...

We've finally made it here...

Come on, everyone, let's take out that witch in her pyramid!

Good answer, my little Puppy!

That's what the nobility say when they don't actually want to do something!

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I'm seeing something ahead that looks like a Servant, so be careful.

I'm not scared, no matter who it is!

The journey of the Heroic Idol Elly won't end until I defeat that queen!

Now everybody, charge!

You've got fighting spirit, but not much else... I'm tired. I can't go full power all day like Shuten.

Green man, give me some caloric fuel. I want another chocolate.

Right, right. Take that, oni.

Fwahaha! Your pitiful attacks cannot harm me! I am invincible!(Chomp, chomp)

Anyway, I'm feeling dirty from all this running around.

Fujimaru, you're a Master, can't you conjure up a bathing area or two with your magecraft?

I don't think that's possible... Oh, I do have towels, though.

All right, I'll take one. ...Hmm. It's a little rough to the touch.

Hand me an Egyptian silk one instead. What? You don't have any?

Very well. Prepare one in the castle as soon as this battle is over.

Of course, a place to bathe as well.

R-right...

YOU GUYS AREN'T TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AT ALL!

Come on, guys! Can't you get a little more excited?

Come on, shout in unison with me, the hero!

Sure. After we win.

ARGH! Fine! Forget it!

Come on, who's our next opponent!? Someone else from the Round Table? Bring it!

...Oh?

U-Uncle...!?

Huh? Uncle... Vlad III!?

Huh? But he seems a little different than the person I know...

Of course I am.

A Servant is summoned by extracting a single aspect of a hero.

I am not here as King Vlad III. I am here as the warrior who punishes all evil.

Um, Uncle Vlad? ...Why are you glaring at me... Is something the matter?

Elisabeth Báthory! I have come to judge you for your sins!

H-huh!? You have!?

Save your breath!

Your existence is sinful... And now you shall be punished for your immorality and wickedness!

Jeez... Count Vlad normally only gets mad when people call him a vampire, but look at him now!

...Oh, never mind. This is the warrior Vlad. No wonder his anger threshold is so low!

A-anyway, prepare for combat!

Elisabeth! Let's just fight for now!

Um, okay... Y-yeah, you're right! We have to fight...!

Got him... No! We didn't! Master, we're continuing the battle!

No, we're done. As I thought, thou dost not understand.

Huh...?

...Start over from the beginning once more. Otherwise, thou shalt never be able to stand before that Queen.

If thy wish is to call thyself a hero and wear that armor, thou must first understand!

Understand whatHuh?

...y.

...ry.

...rry.

I'm sorry... I'm sorry this is so sudden...

Huh!?

Um... Uh... What!?

I'm really sorry, but...

I regret to make you do this after all the battles you've fought, but

I want you to start over from the graveyard.

...Ahem.

This isn't some kind of system issue. There's a reason for it...

Fujimaru, I want you to consider it a trial...

All right. I'm sorry, but I'm going to teleport you.

WHY!?