Fate/Grand Order story · Events, Anti-Primate Biosphere, Tunguska Sanctuary
Section 12: The One Clever Solution
Anti-Primate Biosphere, Tunguska Sanctuary. NFF Headquarters
3 scenes, 656 lines
1. Before the battle
90 linesAt first...
At first, there was light.
Then, heat.
Then, the impact.
And finally, sound.
The prayers of all the animals that lived in the Tunguska woods, and the enormous roar of the sudden death that had been engraved upon their souls...
...all mixed with the great airburst of the meteor that had fallen from space.
Diffusion and condensation. Implosion. Traces of impurity that bent and distorted the fabric of space-time.
That was how this Beast came into being.
Its origins had no connection to either legend or history.
It was the product of disaster, nature, and prayers agonizingly screamed into the void.
A nature spirit who had nothing to do with humanity despite possessing a natural Spirit Origin.
The disaster that befell this land also gave rise to a new life.
Amid the flames, the newborn creature smiled wickedly in its hideous body. Its Spirit Origin, formed from screams and suffering, felt...comfortable.
They're the same. Annihilation by natural disaster, and annihilation by pillaging, they're both the same.
...The beast was born smiling in delight. It couldn't help just how much it enjoyed itself.
The cries of the animals as they were slaughtered by human hands were like rain washing dirt off its body.
Humans didn't keep their promises. Ever.
Animals always understood, even from birth, that they had to kill to survive, and use whatever they killed to improve their lives.
It was all in service of improving on what came before.
Such was the order of the natural world. The species that lasted the longest made use of the most lives.
But humans forgot that promise. They forgot their responsibilities.
They lived alongside animals, but not for the prosperity of their species.
Then why?
Why was the ground drenched in blood? Why had so many species gone extinct?
There was no answer. Of course there wasn't. Humans never had a purpose for doing what they did.
The Beast felt no anger. No grief. Its very Spirit Origin was born from a natural disaster.
It would side with neither humans nor animals.
But it was troubled by the unpleasant sense that something did not add up.
Coexisting for happiness, not to flourish.
Raising animals to share in their joy, rather than to protect them.
Affection and taming. As animals, that love was inherently contradictory.
In the natural world, love is what those who raise children feel.
But the idea of raising something solely for the joy of it was alien to the Beast...to me.
And yet.
"You who wounded the earth. The only being to be born from the ashes of all those deaths."
"Cursed Beast."
"I doubt many will celebrate your birth."
"Still..."
"You should at least have a name."
"Yaskaya."
It felt like someone had given me a name...or maybe I'd simply named myself.
Yas...kaya...
Yans...kaya?
Koyanskaya. Koyanskaya.
Koyanskaya...
That was when I understood. These feelings I had were evil.
They went against natural law. No living thing should have these feelings.
Not even the beings they call gods could control feelings like these.
These feelings must warp every living thing born on this planet.
Like a human who's killed by the animals they love.
Like a god who's rejected by the humans they love.
...I see. Then I'll take that form.
When the fourth position opened up in 2019, I was incarnated as their replacement.
If affectiontamingwas evil, then I would follow those laws to the letter, evil creature that I am.
I would take over for the god who was once denied that same love.
I was born without a father...without a mother.
Lacking a father to inherit anything from, and a mother to be born from, I came into existence as a singular being.
Why?
...Why else? To learn about a mother's lovetrue love.
And yet, I had no mate. I was the only one of my kind on this entire planet.
So...
...I decided to take in children.
I visited several Lostbeltshypothetical worldsand I collected monstrous children...children that would suit a monster like myself.
The children I took in were incorporated into my tails, where they gave up their souls and their DNA.
Of course, they didn't do this by choice. They simply mimicked the story of this Spirit Origin.
"The nine-tailed fox birthed countless creatures from its tails. That is how the monsters of Japan were born."
It was the legend of another Beast, just like me.
The Fair-faced Golden Fox. The nine-tailed Beast.
I decided to follow its example. I would obtain nine tails, and through them, nine children.
But I didn't want just any creatures for my children. I would never accept animals from a world humans control.
As a being who refused anything to do with humanitywho refused to accept humanity at all...
...I knew that my children would have to be creatures that didn't exist in human history.
Hence, the Lostbelts.
Worlds far removed from humanity...dead even as they lived.
Such monsters as could only survive in worlds like that would be my perfect children.
...My first.
...My second.
...My third.
...My fourth.
...My fifth.
...My sixth.
I used the information I absorbed from them as a base to make all sorts of new lives.
Before I knew it, I'd made a forest and rivers.
I'd created a place where humans could never harm its inhabitants, a world where humans would never be born.
No creatures would need self-awareness. No will of their own.
In a dog-eat-dog world, amid an endlessly repeating cycle of life...
...these animals would live, and die, and live, and die, with nothing to get in their way.
And then, one day...
I would
2. Before the battle
158 linesHraaaaaahhh!
I. Can. Do. Thiiis!
Sì Bú Xiàng!
...!
And now for my Noble Phantasm... Follow my lead, my mount!
You got it!
Wash away sin, and gaze upon the sun. Come, three-headed dragon!
Zmei Gorynych!
These are the radiant flames of the cursed three-headed dragon! Now taste the fires of hell!
Your turn, Taigong Wang!
Activating all eighty-four inscription seals.
Come to me, scourge of the gods. Come to me, my weapon of old.
Let the sky open up! ...Come.
Dǎ Shén Biān!
The haze is dissipating...!
That was Nikitich using her strongest attack, then Taigong Wang doing the same, with an Anti-Beast cherry on top!
Not even a Beast can deflect so many powerful attacks.
We need one more good hit! Chaldea, if you would!
Mash!
By my Command Spell!
Hit her with everything you've got!
Haaaaaah!
...From above!?
Bunker Bolt! Point-blank shot!!!
Nice, Mash! You nailed her right in the head!
Too bad you didn't notice me tossing Mash skyward, Beast!
Nice of you to make the ceilings so high for us!
Thank you for helping us out, everyone!
...
...The target's magical energy levels have dropped significantly, and her expanded Spirit Origin has returned to its normal size.
Yup, I'm seeing that too. Not bad.
Her human form looks the same as it did before, but her combat effectiveness is way, way down.
And it looks like the forced spatial erosion Beasts are known for has stopped, too.
The mass of her Spirit Origin is...woah, still over two hundred thousand tons...
Well then, I'm gonna head on back ahead of you guys. See you at Chaldea!
Right! See you later!
Great job, everyone. We hung in there, and we won!
You won...?
My Spirit Core is still very much intact. All I've lost is some magical energy.
The sheer hubris... Trying to fight me as if it were some kind of sporting match? It's...appalling.
Especially since our little "match" is far from over.
!
Se
Too slow.
Infinite combat beasts!?
They're springing up from the ground... No, from the walls, too!
Your reactions are too slow. Your instincts are too slow. Your strategies are too slow. And above all...
You were too slow to realize it was already too late!!!
...!
(I count almost a thousand combat beasts filling the hall! Countless guns and cannons designed explicitly for killing humans!)
(This is bad! Really bad!)
I do beg your pardon. These are both a hobby and my Authority as a Beast: Nega-Weapon.
Since I've been killed far more times than anyone else, I can use your human weapons better than you can!
(Her target is)
Senpai!
Give me a boost, Fujimaru! Hurry!
...!
？！
(Use a Command Spell without looking away.)
？！
Raaah!
Berza Damask!
Are you all right, Master!?
I'm okay, thanks to Nikitich!
Yes! Nikitich protected me!
？！
Nikiti!
Nikitich! You...you took all of those bullets yourself!
My second Noble Phantasm is an armor Conceptual Weapon. Not that it lasted very long against those bullets...
...But hey, I'm still alive.
!!!
Nikitich!
Haha. That was quite the attack, all right... I can't believe you can use human weapons better than humans can...
Yeah, you have a right to call yourself an Evil of Humanity. That's a bitterly ironic power.
...But the only thing it's good for is killing humans.
It's not enough to bring down a Heroic Spirit. Especially one who was always closer to nature than civilization.
So it only worked half as well on me!
Still pretty painful though...
Oh, thanks. Well, this isn't great...
I'm pretty sure I can't do that again, not even with another Command Spell.
Thank you, Nikitich.
Haha, don't be silly.
Now that we've formed a temporary contract, I have just as much obligation to protect you as I do the Grand Prince of Kiev.
I'll use my magical energy on a healing spell!
Save it for later!
Don't worry about me. You're not out of the woods yet, you know.
？！
Taigong Wang!
It's all...up to you now...
Nikitich!
Don't worry. Her Spirit Core is fine. Tough as she is, I'm sure she'll wake up soon.
Mash, would you watch her for now?
Yes, of course!
...Pardon me, Koyanskaya.
You get it, right? Try anything funny, anything at all, and I'll separate your head from your shoulders.
So, I'd call this off, if you know what's good for you.
Well?
...
... ...
(For the time being, it looks like Koyanskaya's been neutralized.)
(So far, so good.)
(Of course, we're inside her Reality Marble now. She may very well die if we cut off her head...)
(But what if she doesn't?)
(She'll probably either summon an infinite number of Lostkin, or an infinite number of large combat beasts will open fire on us.)
(If she does, I can't be sure we'll be able to keep Lord Fujimaru safe this time.)
(And if he dies, the chance of restoring Proper Human History dies with him.)
(So I have to do something before that happens!)
(Just stay calm, Taigong Wang. Stay calm, and activate your Thought Keys...)
(Tamamo Vitch Koyanskaya. A lost Beast who created a sanctuary in spite of her hatred for humans.)
(What in the world are you?)
(Initiating remote contact with target's Spirit Core. Success. Beginning real-time analysis...)
(A utopian sanctuary where wildlife flourishes...)
(...and a hellish landscape full to bursting with loathing for humankind.)
(They say that Reality Marbles are windows into their users' souls.)
(So this place must contain your heart's deepest secrets.)
(So then, you must be)
Taigong Wang.
I know. Don't worry. I've got this.
Do you think your ace in the hole will work?
Absolutely.
？！
Tell me, Koyanskaya! You're the one around whom this whole world revolves!
Who are you, truly!?
Who am I? Haven't I made that abundantly clear by now?
A nine-tailed fox.
No. You are not Daji's shadow. I sense nothing of that millennium fox spirit within you.
You are indeed a Beast, an Evil of Humanity, and you may look like the Fair-faced Golden Fox, but you are not her.
So then, why are you a Beast?
Why did you choose this place? Why do you hate humans so much?
Why are you who you are?
And why...why are you here!?
...
(That's right! The question is...)
(...why here?)
(Why this place, which once suffered a massive explosion?)
(Why did you become a Beast so proficient in killing humans?)
(Why are you trying to become a nine-tailed fox, like Daji?)
"Maybe Koyanskaya and that explosion are connected somehow?"
Gotcha!
"At times, you direct your flames to slaughter. At times, you offer recompense and resolution, and extend the hand of contradictory affection."
"And I can see there's something you love, too."
(Analysis, complete!)
(Retrieving spell. Disengaging remote contact with target's Spirit Core!)
Koyanskaya. I'm going to ask you one more time.
...Did you come here from the sky?
...Oh? And what would make you think that, Taoist?
From the sky...
No, let me be more precise.
I know what you are.
You're the power of the explosion that ravaged Tunguska over a hundred years ago. You're the lamentations of the animals who were wiped out that day.
You're the screams and suffering of nature itself. You're the despair living creatures feel for sudden death.
You are the cursed prayers and agonized howls that were burned into this place, Tunguska...
...all melded together to become a Beast in flesh and form. That is who you are...
...Ms. Tamamo Vitch Koyanskaya.
3. Before the battle
408 linesYou are the cursed prayers and agonized howls that were burned into this place, Tunguska...
...all melded together to become a Beast in flesh and form. That is who you are...
...Ms. Tamamo Vitch Koyanskaya.
The Tunguska incident... Then...
...do you mean she's a concept come to life?
The incarnation of the Tunguska incident!?
N-no...I shouldn't be ruling that out.
There have been other instances of concepts becoming Heroic Spirits, and besides, meddling with concepts is also said to be the heights to which magecraft aspires.
And even though it was a natural phenomenon, it was also such a massive disaster that human history couldn't ignore it...
Which means it becoming a Ghost Liner isn't at all out of the question!
Yup. The director is right. We know for certain that Koyanskaya is a Servant.
The fact that she's an Alter Ego alone is proof of that. By definition, they're other aspects of existing Heroic Spirits.
Of course, that's all assuming you're right, Taigong Wang. I'm guessing you have a good reason for your conclusion?
Oh, you could say that. I reached this conclusion by examining her Spirit Origin and Spirit Core.
I had to use a...finnicky spell to do it. For it to work, a lot of very particular conditions have to be met, but fortunately, I managed to get it working.
Though not without a few moments of jaw-clenching worry.
Incidentally, you were the one who gave me the last hint I needed, Lord Fujimaru.
Me?
I don't remember doing anything like that...
...When did you cast a spell on me?
Well, I say spell, but it's technically fangshu. A sage art, if you prefer.
They can be quite tricky, as they don't have the same extensibility as Western magecraft, but if you can get them working, sometimes they can be just the thing.
Suffice to say, they can do all sorts of handy things.
Oh really. Like peeking at a lady's secrets?
Exactly.
I took a look at your true nature.
For example... Ah, I know.
Ms. Koyanskaya, you don't actually care about humankind one way or the other, do you?
!
Huh.
H-hang on. That can't be right.
We've all seen how cruel she can be! Not to mention her obsession with sadistically torturing humans!
I-if she really didn't care about us one way or another, then why would she...?
Ah, but it is the very fact that she doesn't care that allows her to be so impersonal when dealing with us.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure she really does hate humankind. But not enough to go out of her way to eradicate them herself.
At most, she'll just toy with us now and then...though her idea of fun does tend toward the bloody.
Still, in the end, her interest in us extends only to enjoying the show as we're eradicated.
And that's because, deep down, she honestly couldn't care less about us.
...
...W-well, Koyanskaya? Is he right? Go on! Say something!
...
Oh? Fox got your tongue?
Gngh...
...In the year 1908, a massive explosion occurred over the forests of Tunguska.
With it came a blinding flash, intense heat, a massive impact, and many sudden deaths...
I'm sure there were some animals who must have confused that explosion for gunfire.
But it was, in fact, simply a natural disaster that claimed their lives.
That deep-seated resentment for humans is essentially no more than residual thoughts pasted on after the fact.
A texture that's only skin-deep.
That's why you can't really get too invested in the eradication of humankind.
One look at this biosphere is all it takes to see what it is you really want.
That's right. There's something you value far more than eradicating humans.
You've figured it out too, right, Lord Fujimaru?
...Yeah.
...I think it's exactly because you don't get along with humans that
...Ugh, I swear. The Counter Force, was it?
I saw records of it from the Seventh Singularity, but it's a truly irritating thing.
I can't believe it was able to find a Heroic Spirit this perfectly suited to match me.
Or maybe it's just that sheer variety is Proper Human History's greatest weapon.
Indeed, I'm very sorry about that. We do have well over ten thousand years of history to work with.
Suffice to say, our side has no shortage of experts and specialists for just about any situation you can think of.
So it would seem. I clearly lost when I decided to go on the defensive.
Good grief. I suppose I have no one to blame but myself. It's all my fault for getting saddled with an extra curse and stopping to lick my wounds.
If I really wanted to kill you all, I should have taken the initiative and gone after you myself.
...Oh well.
It's not as though I suffered any losses, so I have no regrets about how that whole thing turned out.
...
...Now that the original Beast IV, Primates Murder, is gone...
...I thought I might be able to take his place.
But I guess that just a pipe dream now.
I swear, it really feels like this whole planet has it out for me.
My dreams of becoming a Beast have been dashed, you Chaldeans have walked all over me...
It's so infuriating, I feel as though I might just lose my mind♡
You know, now that it's come to this, maybe I'll just blow myself up and take this whole place with me☆
What!?
Eep! Oh, this is bad! Koyanskaya may be acting cute about it, but she's deadly serious!
Trust me, she is a staunch believer in taking everyone with her if she has to go down!
Fou, fooou!
Hmm.
If I may make a proposal...why not just, well, stop?
Forget about trying to become a Beast, or pretending to be one of the Foreign God's Disciples, or having anything to do with Chaldea or human history.
You can just leave it all behind and be done with it.
Huh?
Hm?
I have a third option in mind. One that doesn't involve either of us dying or being wiped out.
What do you say, Ms. Koyanskaya? Will you give it a chance?
I mean, you don't even care about humans, right?
So don't you think it would be ridiculous to risk your life for something so insignificant?
... ...
...Hmm. You know, that's a good point.
Chubs!?
N-now don't look at me like that! Believe me, I'm not going soft on her or anything!
I'm just thinking of what's most likely to get me out of here alive! This whole place is part of Koyanskaya, right?
We have no chance of escape if she blows herself up! So there must be some kind of compromise here!
Not to mention that...well...
...this isn't a Lostbelt.
There's no actual need for us to kill each other here. No reason we can't all just coexist peacefully.
So if we CAN talk this out...there's no point in us fighting.
Isn't that right, FujimaruNo, Young Master of Chaldea?
You didn't grow up as a cold-blooded mage. You're an ordinary person who's been thrust into a position of extraordinary responsibility.
So I'm sure you understand what I mean. In fact...you probably understand better than anyone.
Director Goredolf...
...Yes, sir, I do!
？！
Hmm. I hear you, Goffy.
Fighting to eradicate every last one of your enemies is SUCH a pain!
Did you have to put it like that!? That might've been one my top three, all-time best moments in my whole life, you know!
Oh, sorry. I guess I'm not too good at putting things delicately.
I did mean what I said, though.
We're talking about the kind of war where all you get for your troubles is a pile of corpses, right?
And you'd rather not fight it if you can help it, right? I'm just saying I'm right there with you.
...
...I'm genuinely astonished.
I would have thought you in particular would still be nursing a deep grudge against me, Your Excellency.
Oh, believe me, I very much am! I'll never forget the mistakes I made in Chaldea, or the many atrocities you've committed!
But this isn't about any of that!
I'll pay the price for my foolish mistakes, and you can pay the price for your crimes in your own time!
My, my, how cold of you, Your Excellency. You really did turn out to be third-rate right to the end.
As a mage, of course.
Still, as the loser, I have no right to choose. Go on then. Kill me, seal me away...do what you will with me.
It won't make much difference either way. Even with me out of the picture, there will still be a second or third
Come now, didn't you hear me? I said I have another option.
Yes, Proper Human History can be cruel. There are never enough seats on the boat you want to ride.
I have a pretty good eye, and I know a lot about a lot of things.
When it comes to the Lostbelts, Chaldea has no choice but to destroy them to ensure their and humanity's survival.
That's not the case here, though. Your world has nothing to do with human history.
... ...
...Yeah.
Yeah. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that you should accept my proposal.
There's absolutely no reason for us to try and kill one another. Really, it's simple.
...That's not how I see it. I've already put down roots here in my birthplace.
This world is the cradle I need to metamorphize into a fully mature Beast. Once I begin the process, I can't move from this spot until my transformation is complete.
And now, I've failed. Big time.
Since it's not possible for me to mature anymore, I'll be stuck in this spot forever.
So even if you succeed at taking back your precious humanity and Proper Human History...
...my little world here in the corner of Siberia may cause all sorts of errors when it comes time to restore it.
...Hmm.
She has a point. We could argue about exactly how we're going to take back and restore Proper Human History...
...but I can't deny that the scenario she's describing is a real possibility.
So, what should we do then? Maybe it'd be better if we just put her out of her misery?
We could always try cutting off her head and seeing what happens.
What do you think, Master?
If you think we should behead her, just say the word and I'll
Thanks, but I'd rather not behead anyone.
No, that's okay. You said there's another way, right, Taigong?
Yeah. Settle down, dragon lady!
Nikitich, have you recovered?
Mash used the medicine in her shield to heal her.
Fou fou.
Mo. Mo.
Hehe, you got in trouble.
But I gotta say, I kinda like that side of yours, Big Sis Ibuki.
If I may...
This place is a Reality Marble.
It is an inner world that perfectly reflects Koyan's mindscape.
It's not as distorted as a Singularity created with a Holy Grail, nor does it have the finality of a Lostbelt.
Which means this world can continue to exist.
True, I suppose it's possible that it could impede the Restoration of Humanity...at least if it were to stay here.
But what if it was somewhere else?
...That's right. It could go someplace else.
Someplace not even on this planet.
Or do you truly think there's nowhere in the endless expanse of space where you and your world could continue to exist?
...!
That's it! A place where this world wouldn't interfere with the Restoration of Humanity! Space!
It is at least theoretically possible.
Since this world's outer shell seems to be exceptionally strong...
...I think it should be more than able to withstand even the harsh vacuum of space!
Of course, it would need a way to preserve its atmosphere, too. But if we give her a Mystic Code with the right spells embedded in it, then...
Fo, fou!
Wow, Mash. I don't think I've ever seen you so excited.
Easy there, girl. Just take it easy.
That's right. In fact...
I think everyone will be happy with what I've got in mind. Now, if I may...
This place is a Reality Marble.
It is an inner world that perfectly reflects Koyan's mindscape.
It's not as distorted as a Singularity created with a Holy Grail, nor does it have the finality of a Lostbelt.
Which means this world can continue to exist.
True, I suppose it's possible that it could impede the Restoration of Humanity...at least if it were to stay here.
But what if it was somewhere else?
...That's right. It could go someplace else.
Someplace not even on this planet.
Or do you truly think there's nowhere in the endless expanse of space where you and your world could continue to exist?
...!
That's it! A place where this world wouldn't interfere with the Restoration of Humanity! Space!
It is at least theoretically possible.
Since this world's outer shell seems to be exceptionally strong...
...I think it should be more than able to withstand even the harsh vacuum of space!
Of course, it would need a way to preserve its atmosphere, too. But if we give her a Mystic Code with the right spells embedded in it, then...
Fo, fou!
Wow, Mash. I don't think I've ever seen you so excited.
Easy there, girl. Just take it easy.
Yeah, Mash. Take it easy.
Wait. Nikiti! You're already feeling better? You really are tough, huh!?
Hehe, that's my master for you!
Nikitich, have you recovered?
Mash used the medicine in her shield to heal her.
Fooou!
Easy there, Mash. Easy does it.
We probably shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, Mash.
Why don't we finish hearing him out?
？！
O-oh, right.
I'm sorry. It was just such a beautiful idea he came up with, I couldn't help but get excited!
Don't apologize! An idea this spectacular deserves a little excitement!
That is the third option I propose: We temporarily freeze Koyanskaya's space-time and send her and her world out into space!
Of course, I'll set the freezing spell to automatically "defrost" her space-time once she reaches a safe location!
Whoa, whoa, slow down! Space-time freezing? Space travel? What are you saying?
That's practically magic you're talking about! Especially the former!
Allow me to explain!
Fooou!
I understand your concerns very well, Director. Ordinarily speaking, sending an entire landmass into space would be the stuff of science fiction!
However, this is no ordinary landmass. This is a Reality Marblea single being's inner world.
Which means...? (Significant look)
If we can halt the forced deployment of this Reality Marble on the surface, and return her to her original human size...
Exactly!
It won't change her actual mass, but in this case, size is what matters.
That said, even at human size, it would be difficult for me to launch her into space with the power I possess...
...so I'll tweak the space to shrink her down a little more, until she can fit in the palm of my hand.
Then, I'll be able to send her out into space, no problem!
Fo fou!
As far as freezing her space-time goes, the fact that this world is a Reality Marble works in our favor.
I wouldn't have to interfere with space-time directly. I would only be slowing down her own natural life cycle as much as possible...
...which would be effectively indistinguishable from freezing her space-time!
Well, Ms. Koyanskaya? What do you think?
What do I think...?
Needless to say, there would be no humans to worry about once you've left Earth's orbit.
You could freely pursue becoming an Evil of Humanity even without any humans around... You could expand your world further...
...and if you were feeling especially brave, you could even try giving your children self-awareness.
Of course, there's also the matter of the Tree of Emptiness branches currently covering Earth's atmosphere. Those could very well get in the way of any attempts to launch you into space...
Then we'll just have to clear them out of the way.
So, what you're suggesting is...
...after we cut down all the Trees of Emptiness, but right before we begin restoring humanity...
...we send this worldKoyanskaya, off into space!
You've got it! Now, let's get started, shall we!?
Whoa, whoa! Hang on! I'm still trying to wrap my head around the sheer magnitude of what you're proposing here!
Space-time freezing!? Space travel!?
And what's more, you're planning to launch an entire Reality Marble!? Without even a rocket or a space shuttle!?
Man, that sounds awesome...
I mean, er, just calm down! All of you!
Taigong Wang, even if you could reduce her size, you're only talking about her outward appearance, right!? You yourself said her mass wouldn't change!
Even if you could provide the crazy amount of energy necessary to launch a massive landmass like this into space, how in the world would you make it exceed light speed so it could reach other celestial bodies!?
Even the Storm Border's three Magical Reactor Cores running at full blast in tandem wouldn't reach anywhere near enough power!
Well, as it turns out, I do know a way. And a proven one, at that!
Tell me, everyone, are you familiar with Noah?
Noah...?
You know, guy with the ark?
Ahh, it's right on the tip of my tongue, but my brain is so foggy I can't put my finger on it!
It's the one with a raven at the end, right?
You mean Noah from the Old Testament?
The one who built a huge ark and used it to save two of every animal from dying in a worldwide floo
That's the one!
Fouuu!
As a matter of fact, he and I are old friends. He taught me all sorts of neat tricks!
Really?
Ahaha, so that's your game! This is all starting to sound a lot more plausible now!
Really!? Am I the only one who's still as lost as a fox in a chicken coop store!?
Ahahaha, I get it. Because Koyanskaya's a fox, too? Good one, Goffy♡
Th-that wasn't my intention!
I may not be as good at building arks as Noah, but I still studied directly under Lord Yuanshi Tianzun!
And back when I was in my prime, I managed things that even a Divine Xian would be proud of!
So even if it is impossible, I'll find a way to make it happen!
That being said, I'll still need your help to pull it off.
Nothing onerous, mind you. All I need is for you to do is sit tight and let me cast my spell in peace.
Well, Ms. Koyanskaya? Do you accept my proposal?
...Of course not. Have you gone completely soft in the head?
Break your arm patting yourself on the back if you want, but leave me out of it.
I can still kill myself and take you all with me. Why would I agree to such a ridiculous proposal inst
Oh, I think you will, Koyanskaya. After all...
？！
This is a mutually beneficial business deal, no?
？！
... ...
Ugh. You just had to say exactly the right thing to take advantage of the one principle I hold dear. I think we must've gotten too close.
Fine, fine. I'll go along with your plan.
Beast I was vanquished through dialogue. Beast II was vanquished through separation.
And now, for Beast IV, you've found a mutually acceptable answer for both parties with no bloodshed necessary.
Congratulations on the successful elimination of another Beast, everyone. You've convinced this fox to go home with her tail between her legs.
Though of course, I only do so under duress, because I've lost.
All right then, Lord Fujimaru, give me all the magical energy you've got and then some!
You got it!
Go for it!
Good news, Taigong Wang! I'll give you my blessing, too!
If this spell fails, you'll be blown to smithereens, right? My instincts are saying as much.
Ahaha, very astute! All right then, everyone, if you could all lend me your support, I would very much appreciate it.
You got it, Slick!
Uh... Thanks?
Don't worry, you'll be fine. I'll help if you need it!
I doubt it will come to that, but thank you, Lady Ibuki-Douji. That's oddly reassuring.
Mo. Momo!
Um... I'm afraid I don't know the first thing about sage arts, but...
...I'm wishing you the best of luck, Taigong!
Much obliged!
...The Kunlun Mountains belong to Yuanshi Tianzun. Invested in the fish-tailed golden crown and the crane robes, unite the heavens and the earth as one!
An immortal aura, godly and pure! Divine Xian of paradise, descend now before us!
In my hands lie the peerless treasured blades!
Encompassing geography and astronomy alike, the eight trigrams lie within me! With them, I am on equal footing with a Divine Xian!
And as proof...
Before me, the King Father of the East, Dongwanggong. To my right, the Flame Emperor, Shennong.
Behind me, the Queen Mother of the West, Xiwangmu. To my left, the Mother Goddess, Nüwa.
May the great Jade Emperor bestow his blessing upon us under Torch Dragon Zhulong's radiant light!
...Protected memory space, forced connection!
With initiative from Yuanshi Tianzun, spirit from Lingbao Tianzun, and expertise from Daode Tianzun, I reach the heights of the Heaven of Jade Purity!
To the source of all things, Taiji, now hear my plea!
Hurry up!
And give me all you've got!
Oh wow...
...Fou. ...Fooou!
Tiny lights danced through the air.
These light particles, presumably a result of Taigong Wang's spell, began to fill the hall...
...and were probably doing the same across the entire Special Region.
They had a warmth to them, as if they had a life of their own.
Then, the particles began to surround Koyanskaya's body...
My, my... Quite the pretentious, great sage art you cast.
Pushing yourself so far beyond your limits all to launch me into space, of all places?
I wish I could be there for the launch, but I doubt that'll be an option, which is why I programmed it to work automatically.
Once this placeyour Reality Marble's space-time has been completely "frozen"...
...it will spatially compress into the shape of an egg...
...not unlike the world egg seen in Indian or Oceanic mythology.
One day, when humanity begins its restoration, the skies will open up again.
When they do, your world egg will be launched into the stratosphere, and eventually arrive at a place where you can live in peace.
It could be a corner of outer space, or it could be another celestial body.
The rest will be up to you.
You can set up your world wherever you like, and it's no business of mine what you do once you have.
Humanity will not be able to interfere.
That sounds great...if it actually works out. I can't think of many things more expensive and time-consuming than space exploration, after all.
...You know, I still don't understand. Why work so hard to resolve this in a way that lets me live?
I'm not the Fair-faced Golden Fox. I'm not the evil demon you once pined for.
True, you're not. It's a great shame. I, too, was misled by my superior on that score.
...Heh.
My children never grow or evolve. They're little more than mindless meat puppets.
From your perspective, you must think my love and hate are simply warped.
So why save a world like that? Why would you ever even want to save...me?
I killed hundredsthousands of animals, and even more unfairly than humans.
I've sworn vengeance upon humanity, and gone around acting as though I speak for all animals...
This kingdom I've made has no future whatsoever, and I didn't even try to give my subjects self-awareness or wills of their own.
So, why? Why would you ever save a liar like me?
...Don't worry about it. This is just something I want to do.
Oh, come to think of it...
...did I ever mention that I can be a bit egotistical?
It's hardly my place to say liars should never be rewarded. I'm quite a skilled liar myself, you know.
Besides...
...we humans have an obligation to do all we can for you and the natural world.
Truth be told, there are few things in this world more evil than humans.
From the very beginning of our history, we've been responsible for countless deaths.
For centuries, we've gone around wiping out other species as if our lives depended on committing mass genocide.
We've killed, and killed, and killed. Relentlessly, even enthusiastically...
The number of lives we've taken must be beyond counting. We've done as we pleased, whenever we pleased.
We have to make amends for these sins. Even if it's impossible now...it's something someone with the power to set things right must, and will, do one day.
And today, well, it was just fortunate that someone with such a power happened to be around.
...I see. Well thank you for that positively vomit-inducing answer.
Then allow me to respond in turn. You didn't come up with this plan just now, did you?
You obviously had this in mind for someone else, and just decided to do it here instead.
...Oh, right. Let me say one last thing, Chaldeans.
I may have given in and acquiesced to going along with this plan...
...but don't think this means our business is concluded.
If I ever decide you lack the power to clear the skies... Well, you see where I'm going with this, yes?
I'll crack my world egg open from the inside, put my world's roots down in Tunguska...
...and eat every last one of you humans alive.
Make absolutely sure...
...you never forget that.
...We will. I promise.
I'll remember, Koyanskaya.
Don't worry. I'm not gonna forget something like that.
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...
What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Oh, nothing. I was just admiring the brave face you're putting on.
Ahh, you really are an irritating little man, aren't you☆
But...
I guess that's all right. I'll play along and go to sleep, at least for now.
Farewell, everyon
Aren't you going to say, "Thank you"?
When somebody does something nice for you, little Yaskaya, you're supposed to say, "Thank you."
Well?
... ...
...What's your problem, catgirl?
What do you think you're doing, interrupting my beauty sleep just before I'm about to nod off? Are you sure this is even going to be a safe flight?
Say it already!
No.
It's okay. You don't have to.
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Goodbye. I hope we'll get to see you again someday.
Take care, Koyanskaya.
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Ugh.
It really is frightening how absurdly trusting you all are...
According to myth...
...the world we live in was once an egg!
And just as we living things were born, so too was the world around us!
Thus, this egg! Thus, this world egg contains everything, even as it rocks in its cradle!
I, Taigong Wang Lu Shang the Heroic Spirit, declare to all the gods of the heavens and the earth!
This world egg needs no protection, and no blessing.
It has decided of its own accord that it cannot coexist with humanity.
And so, I ask only that it be given safe passage on its journey through the grand expanses of space!
If possible, I also ask that my calculations for its course are perfect! Well, then again, I'm sure they already are!
World Egg Koyanskaya! You who contain both sanctuary and hellscape!
You who so despises humans!
Peerless infant, monster born in and of Tunguska!
May your journey be safe and
...!