Prologue

Trick or treat!

Huh!?

Wh-what's all this!?

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Oh. Already, huh...

Yes, it's that time of year already!

Senpai and I have already given them treats.

Why don't you make your choice too, Jason!?

What will it be, Jason? Trick or treat?

Whoa, whoa, hang on. I'm not one of those Heroic Spirits who carries candy everywhere they go.

...Wait. ARE there any Heroic Spirits who do that?

And why the hell am I of all people getting put on the spot like this at all?

...Huh?

Does this mean...he's not gonna give us a treat?

It looks that way. Now what do we do?

Did we do something wrong? I knew we should have worn costumes...

Or maybe we should have done more to make sure everyone knew today was Halloween.

C-costumes...?

Ulp... I guess I'm not going to be much help then!

I'm sorry. You two will have to go on without me!

Don't worry. We've got this.

We certainly do!

N-now what? Why'd you change your Spirit Origins?

We're a ghooost!

And I'm a cursed book!

...Huh?

Heh. What a terrifying inky ghost we have here.

Look, Big Brother. The cursed book's pages even exude a dark miasma!

Very impressive, Pollux. I'm also most impressed by what I believe is a dark Santa Claus over here.

Having met such ghastly figures, we must make peace with the knowledge that we may not escape with our lives.

Why, if these three creatures were to say...

Trick or treat!

Yes, just like that!

I know, Big Brother. There's only one thing we can do now...

Give them each one of the bags of candy we just so happen to have on us!

Heh.

Quite right, Pollux! Naturally, we must choose "treat."

Here you go, everyone. And make sure to brush your teeth after having your sweets!

We will!

Thank you!

They're gone now, huh.

...Looks like I'm safe for the moment.

Damn, that was scary.

Heh. What is it, Jason? You look pale.

Don't tell me the seasoned captain of the Argo is powerless against a few children?

Now, now, Big Brother. Be nice.

If anything, you're arguably overprepared.

I think any deadbeat caught off guard as Jason was would react much the same way.

You're calling me a deadbeat just because I didn't have candy ready at all times!?

That's true. I'd say Jason is more of a...

... ...

Well, Shielder? What were you gonna say?

I can handle some insults, but I at least want to know what I'm being insulted about!

That's true...

Well, I mean, if you're gonna compare me to Castor, who's apparently always ready with candy for every occasion...

...then of course I'm gonna come up short!

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Lord Jasooon!

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Lord Jason!

Just look how big this pumpkin turned out!

Wh-what the hell? Isn't that a little too big?

Yes, it IS very big! I couldn't believe it, either!

And it's all thanks to Lord Watanabe-no-Tsuna!

I was helping out in the underground garden...

...when I came across this magnificent pumpkin.

Both Lord Emiya and Lady Boudica have told me it should make for a delicious stew.

I suggest you go enjoy it with Lord Jason.

Isn't that nice of him!?

Pumpkin stew, huh...

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Huh?

Oh. I'm sorry, Lord Jason. I didn't know you disliked pumpkins...

No, it's not tha

Hahahaha! Look at that, Pollux! Jason really hasn't changed a bit!

Stop that, Big Brother! It's rude to point and laugh!

(Sigh) How can you be so astute about other's feelings, yet so clueless about your own behavior?

Hm?

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I know what you mean, Senpai!

Between Halloween, pumpkins, and the fickle hearts of men, it definitely feels like fall!

Also, Senpai, the Japanese phrase I'm referencing, "men's hearts are fickle as the autumn sky," became prominent in the Edo period...

...but nowadays it can, and often is, used to refer to women as well.

Of course, Chaldea has Heroic Spirits from all over the world and all across history, and not all of them fit into the male or female binary.

So, thinking on it...

Why don't we just say "people's hearts" instead, and leave it at that?

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Okay!

Ooh, look at that, Senpai. There are so many Heroic Spirits in costumes!

Ahh... Christine... Christine...

O vampire, sleep within me tonight. O vampire, let my song lull you to slumber.

Tonight, I shall drink deep the pulsing crimson.

How holy! How holy! Blessed be this holiest of Halloween nights!

As a humble clown, I shall make you laugh until you are positively gasping for breath!

Hahahahahaha!

Come on, lower your head a little more. That's it.

I know you love sweets, but you shouldn't eat too many at once.

Got that, Asterios?

Okay, Euryale.

Look, there's a vampire, a clown, and a mummy!

And Euryale and Asterios are wearing matching horns!

They've all done so wonderful with classic Halloween monster costumes!

Yes, some people do find clowns very frightening. I believe it's even classified as a type of phobia.

I don't find them scary myself, but I know other people do.

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Happy Halloween♪

I've got you, white rabbit♪

Oh no. I got got!

Oh wow! A girl in a blue dress, and a rabbit in a top hat!

Look, Senpai! They're dressed like famous characters from "Alice in Wonderland"!

Be careful, Master. If you eat one of my treats...

...you shrink down real tiny, or grow into a huuuge giant.

Aww, you spilled the beans.

Aww. I was really hoping to try at least one...

That's amazing! I wonder how they pulled that off...

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S-still, it's better if we don't try one. If either of us turned into a giant, it'd be a...well, huge problem.

My domain spreads everywhere the light touches. Just you watch... I shall possess it all!

...Are you sure that's what I'm supposed to say?

You're doing great, pharaoh guy. I mean, Your Majesty.

I see.

These masquerade balls are a rather tedious affair... No matter.

You've gotta admit, they're a nice change of pace!

And I can't say the idea of spacefaring golden wings displeases me. Heh.

Bring me my goblet! I shall permit the masses to join me in a toast to our glorious victory!

Yes, Pharaoh Ozymandias! You are far too kind!

I am the Space Emperor!

Long live Space Emperor Ozymandias!

Ooh, those must be sci-fi costumes, Senpai!

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There, Senpai! She's right in front of Pharaoh Ozymandias!

See? She's standing on top of that 3D planet model! Aww, she's so tiny!

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Yes, it is. She may be small, but she still has a divine aura about her!

Oh, Master! Mash!

Trick or treat!

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Ehehe... Thanks!

...Um, Master?

What do you think of my costume? Ruby recommended it for me...

Yes, very cute!

Yes, it does!

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Ehehe. I'm so glad!

Oh, I'd better go. Chloe's calling me. Happy Halloween!

Aha, there you are! At last, your loop has come, woof!

Prepare yourself for Undead Pumpkin Cat Sweets!

I worked my poor toe beans off to make these EXTRA yummy, so you'd better savor every last bite, Master!

I expect you to polish these off in under five minutes! Every last one, woof!

Five minutes!?

Ahahahaha, I'm just kidding. I'll let you off the hook as long as you and Mash finish them all this evening!

Oh I know. You said the same thing during your ninetieth loop.

Don't worry, we cat chefs know what's up. You and Mash can take the whole evening to enjoy them!

Th-these are for me, too!? O-okay, I'll do my best!

Grrreat! Eat like your life depends on it♡

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Welcome to the adventurers' tavern!

Sorry I couldn't show you to a table sooner. I've been so busy I can barely see straight!

You two are still too young to drink, right? Well, that's okay. We have plenty of great food for you to enjoy.

Table for two, please!

Wow! Mata Hari's barmaid costume is great!

And look how expertly she's bringing out drinks and food to all the Heroic Spirits that have come by the cafeteria.

She doesn't just look the part, she's playing it perfectly, too!

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I-indeed.

There are a number of Heroic Spirits and staff members who seem particularly taken with her, um...charms!

...Oh!

Wait, Master. Those same Heroic Spirits and staff members are moving somewhere else.

Is that...?

Oh? Oh my...

Um, is something the matter, everyone?

I was just looking for Illya and Sitonai...

I assume Emiya's in the kitchen?

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Yes!

It's so, um...daring and provocative that it's drawing everyone in like it has its own gravity or something!

It looks like she and Mata Hari are on very equal footing...

S-Senpai!

We have a third contender!

A third Servant has arrived and is drawing everyone's attention!

Look, over there. It's Nightingale!

And she's, really, um... I think the phrase is "dressed to kill"!

...A costume? No.

This outfit is a symbol of complete and perfect disinfectant. It is made entirely from antimicrobial materials.

I thought it an appropriate choice of attire, since I'm serving as the head of Chaldea's medical team tonight.

I take it the reason you've gathered around me is that you've all been experiencing health issues?

Very well then. I will treat you myself, even if it kills you.

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A-amazing. I can feel her determination all the way over here!

Though I do have to say it looks more like a Halloween combat uniform than a Halloween costume.

I suppose it just goes to show how she's always ready to battle the forces of disease... She's so dedicated!

... ...

Gosh, they're all so incredible! I love seeing all the work and passion that went into everyone's costumes.

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Yes?

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Me?

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!

Uhhh...

W-w-well, th-that's because my costume is...um...

Er...

You see, I found a package from an unidentified sender when I went up to my room...

...and found this inside.

I figured it must be a Halloween costume...

...so I summoned up my courage and tried it on, but...

Wh-what do you think, Fou!? I-is it too much!?

Do you think Senpai will like it!?

... ...

Um, is it just me, or is it a little...revealing?

Fou. Fou fou fou fou fou.

...

...I-I knew it...

I, um...

I can't possibly wear this in public!

Senpai can't see this! Ever!

I guess...all I can say...

...is that my costume has been sealed away as thoroughly as one of Chaldea's Seven Taboos...

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Yes!

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Huh?

I-I, um... I-I see...

I'll try... I-I mean, I'll do my best!

Trick or Rayshift!

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Yup. Sorry to interrupt the Halloween party.

Much as I wish it hadn't shown up now, we've got another minute Singularity on our hands.

And once again, I'm really hoping you'll take care of it!

Then I'll go too

Sorry, Mash. I'm afraid I've got something else for you.

I've already chosen the Servants who will be accompanying Fujimaru.

Oh. I see. That's too bad...

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Hmm. This latest Singularity's in the Middle East, so it might actually not be Halloween-related.

As for the time period, it's... Oh wow, the third century. That's pretty far back.

Once you arrive, the first thing you should do is gather informaAh, what am I telling you for? You know how this works! All right, let's get you on your way!