Section 1: The Sisters and the Innocents

Oooh, is this a "greeting"?

Pretty sure!

Boss-Boss said greetings are super important. Hel-hello!

Gah, what is with these things? At least I don't sense anything malicious from them...

They seem to enjoy staring into my Leviathans' faces.

And the fact that my babies aren't running away from them would seem to suggest that they're not dangerous.

(It's even cute how they've been tilting their heads in the same direction, or holding up their flippers at the same time as these things...)

I can tell you they're not spirits. But they don't seem to be normal creatures, either.

It's definitely not every day you run into a whole new type of sentient species that's capable of speech.

They could be magecraft-based life-forms, a kind of familiar, some new form of Phantasmal or Elemental...

There's no shortage of possibilities, but I can't say anything for sure from here.

Not with this Singularity's coordinates remaining indecipherable, and our observational capabilities being limited.

Right. But on the positive side, that's also making it easier to focus on your existence verification, Master, so please don't worry about that.

So basically, you want us to investigate what's going on here ourselves, huh.

All right, I'll just ask then: What are you?

Don't know what to say to that!

We're just us.

Ooh, that's deep.

We're just...here. Being our squishy selves!

？！

They may be capable of speech, but it's still hard to tell what they're talking about.

Hey! Torturer! When did I give you permission to hug one!? What!? It just climbed into your arms on its own? So what!?

Now they're playing tag with my spirits... What in the world is this?

Hm?

That smells like...Boss-Boss!

Yay! Time to plaaay!

Master! I'm getting something in the direction those creatures just ran off...

It's a Servant signal!

Huh...?

...I don't think there are any water monsters nearby, Sister.

Oh my. Then that must mean all of you Eek.

Boss-Boss! Play with us!

Reporting! These people saved us! Whammo, blammo, saved!

Wait, wait, slow down. Could you let us talk to them first?

？！

Oh... Ahem.

Forgive me. I'm Trưng Trắc, and this is...

...

Stop that, Nhị. Haven't I told you how important first impressions are?

Quit glaring at them and introduce yourself!

...I'm Trưng Nhị. Trắc's younger sister.

Hmm, I guess that's good enough. You could stand to be a little friendlier, though.

So, there you have it. Together, we're known as Hai Bà Trưng, or the Trưng sisters.

We don't remember how we got here, so...we think we're Servants summoned here by the land itself.

？！

Nice to meet you, Fujimaru.

(Look that all but screams "Don't even think about shaking her hand")

Now, may I ask what Chaldea is?

I'm glad we ran into you two. We just got here ourselves, and could really use someone who can tell us what's going on.

Why don't we exchange information? If you like, we can even go first.

I see. So this is a minute Singularity... It may endanger the whole world if not dealt with.

We definitely have to do something about it, then.

Now, what about you two? We have a lot of questions we're hoping you can answer.

I'm sorry. I'm afraid we don't know much about this place, either.

Shortly after we were summoned here, we saw monsters attacking these darling creatures.

We couldn't leave them to fend for themselves, so we stepped in to save them. They seem to have taken a shine to us ever since.

We only saved one at first, but for some reason, all of them got attached to us.

It must be Sister's natural virtue. She's always been a charismatic leader, so it's really no wonder.

...You obviously agree, yes?

？！

Hmm, I don't know about charismatic...

At any rate, we just hurried over here after we heard more of these darlings were in trouble.

But you seem to have saved them before we even got here. Thank you so much for that.

Hmm...I suppose I should thank you as well. Thanks.

Thanks again!

You saved us just like Boss-Boss!

Does that mean you're Boss-Boss now? Hmm.

All right, so what exactly are these creatures, anyway?

They're called Con. I'm sorry, but that's all we know about them.

We think they've probably always lived on this land.

Oh, we named them "Con," by the way. It means "child" in our homeland's language.

We figured we needed to call them something, so.

I agree. Naming something you've never seen before is arguably the first and most crucial step towards understanding it.

By the way, are these all of the Con?

No, there are more elsewhere. We don't know how many there are in total, though.

...Besides, their numbers keep going up and down. Not to mention there could still be more on other parts of this island.

？！

That's a good point. I'd like to tell you more of what we know, but this isn't a good place to just stand around and talk.

Would you mind if we continued this conversation somewhere else?

We're building a little base of sorts so the Con will always have a safe place to gather.

That sounds perfect. We were planning to set up a base camp of our own, anyway.

Then please, follow us. Don't worry, it's not far from here.

...I see the Con already trust them enough to follow them without asking.

I'm not sure if that is because the Con are inherently trusting, or because these two are strong leaders.

(Staaare)

...Hm?

Keh heh heh! Oh yes, I understand! You find me fascinating, don't you?

I'm impressed you can tell at a glance that I am indeed history's most perfect empress!

Huh?

We're just looking.

Oh, it's quite all right. I can hardly blame you for being dazzled by my holy glory, seeing as it shines brighter than the sun.

Very well then, I will allow you to walk with me and my Torturers to our destination. Come along!

Whoa.

Yaaay.

These Con creatures seem to be very friendly.

They're cozying up to you and the other Servants, too.

Hey. I know we haven't interacted much before, but I find you just the slightest bit intriguing.

There's something about you that both does and doesn't remind me of the other Sakura Five... Something both familiar and alien... Something that makes me want to compete with you.

Oh? If you say so.

Now, take these Con creatures. If they're going to cozy up to someone, I'm sure they'd rather cozy up to the best someone around.

So why don't we take this opportunity to demonstrate exactly who that is?

And that, we can do by seeing which of us is the better leader for these creatures. So, I propose...

Agreed. I propose...

A contest of elegance! A contest of orderliness!

... ...

...I guess we're not quite on the same page.

...Why don't we just agree to both do our best and leave it at that?

Yeah, fair enough.

Are they friends?

BFFs?

？！

... ...

By the way, Hai Bà Trưng are a Heroic Spirit that were inscribed in human history...

...but I'm guessing you may not know as much about them as others?

No, I don't. I'm not sure I've even heard of them before. I'm sorry...

That's totally fine. I appreciate your honesty.

Doing it in front of them might be rude, so I thought now would be a good time to quickly go over their database entry.

Hai Bà Trưng was born in the first century A.D. in what we now know as northern Vietnam.

At the time, there was a Chinese commandery called Giao Chỉ that was part of the Later Han Dynasty.

Apparently, the Later Han authorities were doing an atrocious job of running things there.

The unrest reached a breaking point when authorities unjustly executed Trưng Trắc's husband, one of the community's most influential figures.

That prompted Trưng Trắc and her sister, Trưng Nhị, to instigate a rebellion.

Giao Chỉ... That would be in what I knew as the Jiāozhōu province, way down in the South. So there was a rebellion, you say?

Hmm. I do think I've heard about that one before...but I wouldn't know the details, since it happened six hundred years before my reign.

So, what happened to them? I suspect I know the answer, but tell me anyway.

The rebel army Trưng Trắc led as their king had incredible success at first. They stormed over sixty-five of the Han's citadels.

But in the end, an army was sent in from Central China to suppress their rebellion, and there wasn't much they could do...

Just as I expected. An empire cannot ignore a rebellion within its borders, no matter how remote the area.

I, too, would have mustered all available forces to suppress a revolt against my dynasty.

Um, excuse me?

I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation...

Were you talking about us?

Oh, yeah, we were. We thought we should study your biographies a bit before talking to you two.

I'm sorry if it came off as rude.

Oh no, not at all. We don't mind in the slightest.

...Besides, it's kind of embarrassing to talk about ourselves.

More importantly...

I was going to ask this after we arrived at the base and had a chance to collect ourselves.

But now that I've overheard your discussion, let me just do it now.

By any chance, are you...?

Keh heh heh! So, you noticed, have you!? Indeed, I am an empress of China.

In fact, I am none other than the empress who united all of China six hundred years after your deaths!

(Sigh...) I see.

You're taking this surprisingly well.

I don't know much about earthly affairs, but we're talking about an empire and the ones who fought against it, right?

You're rebels, so don't you hate her?

I'm not sure I'd say "hate"... It was more that we didn't have a choice.

We had to stand up for ourselves just to live ordinary lives, which at some point turned into a fight. That's all.

So I don't have much to say to an empress that lived six hundred years after us besides, "Oh, I see."

Hmph. I should have known you would have a spine of steel.

Indeed, you are exactly right. The truth is, we have no connection whatsoever.

All I have to say to you is that your story is a tale of fools.

You were fools to start a hopeless war. The authorities were fools to push you and yours to that point.

I swear... What idiot ran the South back then? If I'd been around, I would have had him executed for that failure!

... ...

I trust it goes without saying that I never met the emperor of China in my time, but I'm fairly sure you and he were very different.

So, that's all it comes down to.

You and I may never be great friends, but I don't especially hate you, either.

...I agree with everything Sister said.

However, if you do anything at all to harm her, Empress, that will change very quickly.

Oho, impressive. It seems you're much more comfortable fighting than your sister.

Would you please stop provoking each other!? We've literally just met!

We're supposed to be working together here, remember!?

I wouldn't say we're provoking each other. We're just being clear about where we stand.

There are things both of us are unwilling to compromise about, I'm sure.

But you can rest assured that I do genuinely hope we're all able to cooperate and get along.

So please, don't worry.

Oh, there! We're almost at our base!

Um, what was it people say in these situations again... Oh! "All aboard the hype train!"

...Or is that not right?

Don't worry, Sister. It was supercute, and it got us all fired up.

Anyone who says otherwise...

？！

(Satisfied nodding)+H5

Choo, chooo!

All right then, everyone, please watch your step on the home stretch!

Here we are!

？！

Hehe. We built it ourselves.

Oh, and by we, I mean me, Sister, and the Con.

We built it!

Are you proud of us?

Oh yes, very proud.

The Con are much better with their hands than you'd think.

They're also great students and naturally curious, so once we taught them how to build, they started making all sorts of things.

Oh, right. There's...someone I'd like to introduce you to.

Let's see... Oh, there he is. Eldeeer!

Hmm?

Oh my... Is age finally starting to play tricks on me? It looks like there are more of you sisters now.

The Con aren't the only ones who grow their numbers, hm? I see someone purple...someone with pointy legs... Well, isn't that lovely?

They may not look much like you sisters, but they're just as adorable a sight to these sore eyes...

There aren't more of us, Elder. These are our guests.

...Oh? Oho. More guests besides you two? Well, I'll be a sea monkey's uncle.

And now we have a talking sea turtle, huh? Well, I did hear you met a talking tortoise before too, so.

Is it really that surprising? I mean, we both know a sheep we almost can't get to STOP talking.

Blonde hair, huh... That's a little too fancy for these old bones.

Hrum... I tend to prefer more prim and proper girls. Especially ones with long and dark hair...

Huh!? Are you nuts!? I'm WAY more prim and proper than that horrible cheapskate Ishtar!

Yup, looks like our scanners still aren't working right... Hai Bà Trưng, can I ask you who this nice, uh, turtle is?

Well...

...he's apparently the island itself.

Huh?

...

Yes, I suppose I ought to shell out an explanation to our new guests. I don't want you to think I run a turtleitarian regime here...

？！

Oh, I'm just joking. I love conversing with youngsters like yourself.

This turtle is awfully laid-back. It reminds me of Dumuzid, too...but for some reason, it's even more irritating here.

Come on, Elder. This is serious.

Sorry, sorry.

Well, I've been alive for a long, long, looong time...I think.

I forgot where this sea is or even what my purpose for being here might be.

But there is one thing I still remember.

This land was formed when dirt accumulated on my back, sprouted seeds, and became islands.

Which means you're all standing on top of me right now.

？！

Why don't we have a proper sit-down, so we aren't just standing around in the entrance.

This is our room... Well, more like the place we're using for our headquarters, really.

I'm just sorry we don't have any refreshments to offer you...

Don't be. What could be more refreshing than getting to be in the same room and breathe the same air as you, my dearest sister?

Go on. Savor it, all of you.

Hey, I'm just glad Fujimaru has a place where he can get out of the sun.

All right, now that we've all collected ourselves, let me make sure I've got everything you've told us straight.

You're saying this isn't an archipelago, but islands resting on the back of an enormous turtle? And that they formed by dirt accumulating on your shell?

Ayup. It was only later that I realized the top part of my shell above the sea's surface had become a group of islands.

And since there were trees growing from the dirt, I couldn't bring myself to dive and ruin it all.

So I just kept swimming like that, and at some point, I couldn't imagine it being any other way.

Maybe it's because it happened so long ago, but I just don't remember much about it.

Or maybe I was just never much for detail.

Let's see... Our scanner's still not very accurate there, but if I tweak it like this...

Whoa. I'm just guessing here, but it looks like the turtle is telling the truth.

These islands don't reach the seabed. They really do seem to be floating...

Well, I'll be. I know the stories of the spirit turtle said to carry Mt. Penglai on its back, but I never thought I'd see one.

There are actually stories like that all over the world.

In Europe, there's one about a giant sea turtle named Aspidochelone who was so big they were mistaken for an island.

In Arabia, there's a legend about a titanic sea turtleor a crustacean, in some versionsnamed Zaratan.

Maybe they're all actually giant Phantasmals...? I don't know, but I'd love to find out!

Still, for the moment, we should probably make sure that

Hohoho, don't you worry. I'm not about to move anytime soon.

I've been floating all this time. I'm not about to dive down into the sea all of a sudden now.

I've been around for so long at this point that my real body is basically sleeping all the time.

Or maybe I'm actually dead, and I just haven't realized it yet.

But in exchange, I've got my miniature self here, separate from my real body.

Can't say I remember when that happened, though.

So, does that mean you're a Divided Divine Spirit? Or the brains of this one?

Good question. Even I'm not sure who or what I am. It all happened so very long ago.

I'm really just killing time at this point. Besides, I like sunbathing. It feels so nice on my shell.

I like sunbathing, too!

We're ALWAYS sunbathing.

Just thinking about it makes me sleepy. (Zzz...)

So what is your relationship to these creatures?

I don't have one.

I was just minding my own business when they practically started growing on me.

They're perfectly harmless, so I didn't mind letting them stay.

Oh, but I do remember this.

A few days ago, some terrifying monsters started coming here from the sea and out of the fog.

...!

Do you mean those hideous merfolk?

No, it's not just them.

Some are hooved... Some look human... There are all sorts, really.

The only thing they had in common was that they were all water-dwelling monsters.

As more of them showed up, these water monsters began devouring the Con and stealing their lands.

But thankfully, these sisters appeared just when they were about to lose everything.

They prevented the water monsters from taking all that we had.

I suppose you could say this place here is all we have left, though.

I'm just glad we weren't too late, even if this is the last bastion.

Unfortunately, we couldn't go on the offensive with the two of us alone...

...but fortunately, it looks like we were able to buy time until more allies arrived.

...Okay. I get the gist of what's going on here now.

So you two were summoned to this land because

Yes. We think it's our duty to save these darling Con.

Besides, we can't think of any other reason.

Good point. This wouldn't be a Singularity if there weren't some kind of anomaly at play.

And usually, when we resolve the anomaly, the Singularity gets repaired shortly afterwards.

That said... What exactly do you think we'll need to do to save the Con?

Good question. You see, there's something unique about the way the water monsters hunt.

If possible, it's better not to just defeat them, but to

Oh no. I just remembered!

How did you all defeat that merperson you encountered earlier?

？！

I see. Well, that's how you do it normally. But, in that case...

Is there a problem?

Sort of. If a water monster eats a Con, then

Boss-Boss! Help!

The bullies are back!

One of us got ate up!

That's the direction we came from. Did we miss an enemy?

I think it'd be better if I showed you what we mean. Let's go!

Hold on. Con, was it?

You're no more than bait for those monsters, yes? Then why would you come along? Stay here and wait for us to get back!

It's okay. Yes, they are what the water monsters want, but they have a special role.

We'll have a few come along with us. It'll be fine as long as we keep them safe.

Huh...?

If more are being attacked, then we can talk later. Come on, Fujimaru!

？！

I agree. Their combinations are just as effective as Anne and Mary or the Dioscuri!

(I'm not sure what the elephants are about though... Well, the only thing I can say is they are certainly cute.)

That should do it... Excuse me, everyone! This is important! Whatever you do, please don't finish it off!

Axel, lutz... Huh? You want us to let them get away!?

No. You can weaken them as much as you like.

The idea is to whale on them until even a baby could finish them off.

Then...

Now!

Got it, got it!

It's Con time!

You're having the Con deal the final blow...?

It's okay to kill ordinary water monsters, like the ones who just come from the outside fog.

But, some of them have gotten stronger by eating Con.

They won't disappear if you kill them in the usual ways.

It's like cutting weeds instead of pulling them up by the roots.

They'll eventually come back to life. But

We only discovered this by a lucky coincidence.

We don't know why this happens, but just like when the Con get eaten, if they're the ones to deal the final blow

？！

That's right. If the Con finish these water monsters off, then the Con they ate come back...

...and the water monster stays dead.

Which means, if we keep defeating the water monsters like this, then we might be able to save the Con who were eaten.

At least, we hope so...

Now I see. So if the Con's numbers decreasing is the main problem here...

...then we can't just fire an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm at the whole archipelago to wipe out the water monsters and be done with it.

Sounds like blasting these islands to bits and wiping out anything that moves won't lead to the ending we want.

Indeed... That would be quite the sad conclusion.

I don't remember when things were different anymore...

...but I still feel it would be a shame losing this earth, the scent of the forest, or the Con's liveliness.

Yeah. If there's a way to restore this island to the peaceful place it used to be...

...then I think that needs to be what we consider a win here.

？！

So if we play our cards right, we can take back the places those monsters now control...

...and restore the Con population while we're at it, huh?

That's right. And while I'm not sure exactly how, you can tell if a water monster has eaten a Con or not just by looking.

However, the Con are extremely weak fighters. There's no way they can defeat the monsters on their own.

So someone has to help them out by weakening the monsters quite a lot first.

It's only been us up until now, so we couldn't cover enough ground to make a real difference.

But now that all of you are here, we may be able to finally go on the offensive.

And if we're lucky...we may just be able to take these islands back, in the true sense of the word.

？！

Hoho. I've always liked a bit of noise. The noise young girls make in particular feels like it adds years to my life.

But the noise of helpless creatures being eaten is a different matter. If I'm going to have creatures living on my back, I'd much rather they be peaceful.

If you can restore those peaceful times, so much the better.

I wish I could help you, but I'm just a very old turtle. About all I can do these days is sunbathe.

If any of you lovely ladies would care to warm your cheeks on my toasty sunbathed shell...

...then I might be able to be of assistance. But that's all I can think of...

You still seem pretty young in some ways to me...

Hey, don't worry about it. This kind of thing is what we do.

It's a little unusual in that we'll have to help the Con deal the final blows instead of finishing off enemies ourselves...

...but I'm sure we'll be fine.

Keh heh heh! There is nothing to worry about. I have a great deal of experience leading subjects.

I have no doubt that these Con creatures will soon be bowing before my glory and doing everything I say!

(That seems like a lot to expect from creatures climbing her Torturers like they're jungle gyms...)

Well, unlike the spirits of Kur, we can communicate with these creatures, so I have no problem with this plan.

You're talking to a star who's gotten her Leviathans to dance a perfect waltz without a flipper out of place. This will be easy.

I agree. These Servants should have no trouble leading the Con where they need to go.

And even though this Singularity's coordinates are still indecipherable, we can actually Rayshift across a fairly wide swathe of it.

So don't worry. It looks like we can even send in other Servants to back you up if necessary.

Thank you so much. Having backup on top of all your help would be an incredible relief!

"Wow!"　　　　　"Sunbathing!" 　　"This is great!"　　"I feel safer already!"

？！

Yes, there are. Especially now that some have come back after that last battle.

And I expect there will be even more of them once we start going on the offensive.

...

Um...

I'm sorry to say something like this after you've already so kindly agreed to fight with us...

...but could I ask you for one more favor?

That depends on what it is. Stars like me only grant fan requests if we feel like it.

Well, what is it?

Well, if possible, I'd like to expand this village before we start getting more Con.

The Con can live happily just about anywhere, but I still think they'd be better off having roofs over their heads.

Hmm. If the Con are all in one place instead of scattered across the islands, that means a bigger village would also make it easier for us to defend against raids.

Exactly. So could I ask you to gather more materials to help us expand it?

You can leave the construction to us and the Con. We did build this place together.

Once we made some simple tools and showed them how to use them, they were able to make pretty much anything we asked them to.

I'm sure it all feels like a game to them, but either way, they really are good with their hands.

We got it, easy-peasy.

Building's more fun than breaking!

Heh. It's gonna be awesome. Promise!

When you say "materials," I assume you mean lumber and stone and such?

Elder's, um, shell, does seem to have plenty of natural resources, but the problem is, well...

Oh, don't you worry about me. It's not as though I grew these trees on purpose. Take as many as you like.

...Just don't be rough, okay?

I'd appreciate it if you could cut the trees down gently and gather stones quietly, as if you were petting my shell through the dirt.

Hmm. A single expansion might not be enough, and there could well be more work along those lines down the road.

So maybe I should also send in some Servants who are good at building and gathering construction materials.

I'll take a look at the roster later and pick a few folks.

Gathering materials and building facilities on a deserted island... That certainly brings back memories.

This mission should be no problem at all for you, Master!

All right then, why don't we get started by gathering materials for the first village expansion!?