Section 5: Biting Bunyips

Damn, it's no use.

I appreciate you assembling those simple drones and using them to scout the area for us, Fujimaru...

...but both magecraft-based and scientific-based sensors are cutting out the moment they enter that fog across the sea.

So we still don't have any way to observe the outer areas of the islands.

Unfortunately not.

I've been gathering other kinds of data, but the actual position of these islands is as elusive as ever.

We still can't see any of the stars at night, and the data on water quality doesn't match any location in our database.

But, I guess there's no need to be hasty.

Why don't you head on back to the village? I'll start coming up with a way to use the leftover drones later.

Besides, we have some things to discuss with Hai Bà Trưng.

？！

Hello. ...Hmm, who might you be again?

You do seem familiar, but... Hmm... Oh, I know. You're that giant who holds up the sky, right?

？！

Hoho, I'm just kidding.

Few things are more incomprehensible than an elderly person's joke.

But never mind that. Where are the Hai Bà Trưng?

Hmm. I think they're somewhere in the village...

Waha. Boss-Boss is in the same place as always!

I'll take you.

That's okay. We know where it is.

Well, okay. Why not? Lead the way, please.

Hey, you're supposed to knock before you enter a dressing room. Stop coming in here uninvited.

...Hm? Is everything okay? Something seems off.

Phew...

I know I keep saying this, but I'm sooo relieved!

This is so nice! I can't seem to stop smiling!

...

(Oh maaan, Sister is so cute when she's lounging on the floor. I just want to give her a big hug!)

Seriously, for a while, I had no idea how things were going to turn out.

I... I know I'm not really cut out to be a king, or a leader, or anything like that.

I hate giving orders, and I've never been confident in my abilities.

I wish someone else would take over and

...No, I can't think like that. I started this; it's my responsibility to see it through.

Gaah! I can't take it anymore!

I just have to hug you, so I'm going to. (Hugs)

My dear sister, you're so kind and earnest. It's what I love about you.

Hmm? Hehe, oh Nhị, you're so clingy whenever we're alone. There, there.

Oh? Now our elephants are hugging us, too.

Maybe they think it's a game? Or maybe they're just jealous?

Aww, you're so cuuute. I still don't know what you are exactly, but thank you for being with me.

And thank you for being with me too, Nhị.

I love you all so much!

Are you playing stuck-together? I wanna play, too.

Aww, you're here too, Con? Mmm, I love you all, too!

What in the world are you doing?

!!!

Hello, everyone. Please, come right in. I take it you're here to discuss the next part of our strategy? (All business)

(Look that says "How dare you interrupt my moment of tranquility")

Um, I wouldn't say that, necessarily.

Um, is that what we were doing? Ahaha.

？！

I know I'm a leader here, and I do feel like I need to take that role seriously.

So if it ever seems like I'm not taking my leadership role seriously, or like I'm slacking off...

...I assure you you're just, um...imagining things? And so I'd appreciate it if you just, uh, forgot it?

？！

Phew.

Anyway...you're here to talk about which area we attack next, right?

Yes. I think we're ready to move on now.

We can still use the weapons we made for the Con last time, right? Won't they make things a lot easier?

Hard to say, really.

The water monsters in this next area are very...well, strong. That's their most defining feature.

Or at least, that's how they seemed to us the few times we fought them.

There may be more to them than that, but we couldn't tell what.

So what did they look like?

Well, um... Kind of like alligators, and dogs, but neither, all at once...?

Hm? So they're animals of some sort? Guess I'll try sketching them again.

If strength is their main quality, couldn't we simply overwhelm them by being stronger still?

Surely there can be no more to consider than that.

So we will go and fight them ourselves!

And once we have thoroughly weakened them with our overwhelming power, the Con can come in with their weapons and... Stab! The end!

I just hope it's that easy.

Do not say things like that, Yōumíng Niángniang! It's bad luck! Spending all that time in a dark cave underground has made you such a downer!

At any rate, I've already got new helpers all ready to go. Let's make sure we're ready for anything before heading out!

And that is why I, Nagao Kagetora, the avatar of Bishamonten, came from Echigo to this strange land!

Yup. Kagetora here's both a powerful fighter on her own and a strong enough leader to manage the Con.

In addition, given what we saw with the hermit crab monks, we thought this island might be near the coastal waters of Japan...

...and reasoned that another Japanese Servant might have knowledge that would prove useful.

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but honestly, I have no idea if I can see through monsters' defenses!

Still, whatever the circumstances, the goal remains the same. Any decent warrior should be able to defeat any monster they face.

Anyway, I take it you're the general leading the charge here?

Yes, I am. You seem like a very capable fighter. I'm glad to have you on our side!

So, I hear you're a rebellion king.

I can't say I have many fond memories of the rebellions in my domain, but hey, what's done is done, right?

Ahahahahahaha!

R-right... (That's the emptiest laugh I've ever heard...)

We'll be in enemy territory soon. Stay sharp.

Oho. A watering hole, huh.

Shh. Look. You can see them over there.

So those are the water monsters from this area... They certainly look as horrifying as you described.

What do you think, Kagetora? Do they seem at all familiar to you?

Hmm...

Nope! In fact, I'm pretty sure those aren't Japanese monsters at all.

R-really?

Well, at least according to my Bishamonten intuition.

Still, they do seem like they'd put up a good fight. Let's see what they've got.

To battle! Meooow!

Huh!? A cat!? Where!?

...Hey! What kind of bloodcurdling war cry was that!? I will torture you myself if you do that again!

Ahahahaha! Battle is all about momentum! Kill theeem!

She's already started!? Oh well, I guess there's no turning back now!

For the time being, our plan is the same as before.

You all stand by and keep an eye on things until we've worn them down!

You got it, Boss-Boss!

I'll be watching!

I'll lead the charge! Haaa!

Woah!

Did it just teleport!? ...No!

It must be after

Fujimaru!

Aah!

Why you...!

GRRRrrraaa!!!

Now there's a whole pack of them! Ugh, and their growls are so irritating!

You little...!

Th-thank yooou!

You're welcome!

Now back off and No, on second thought, hold onto me!

These things are so fast they look like they're teleporting. Nothing Servants can't handle, though.

The problem is, they're ignoring us and going after the Con!

？！

I agree. Please retreat for now, everyone!

...

(Sad)

What was that? No water monster should be able to move that fast.

I think there's both more and less to it than that.

Huh?

From what I could see, they weren't just moving fast. They were always moving towards someone.

Put differently, they were never moving somewhere...empty.

Going further, if we think back to what things were like before and after these creatures were eaten...

...it seemed like those monsters were looking at them very strangely.

So I think their trick is that they can kill whatever they're looking at...

...and that just happens to manifest in such a way that it seems like they're moving really fast!

I don't actually have any particular reason for thinking that. Just my Bishamonten intuition!

No, I think that's entirely within the realm of possibility.

Your sixth sense for combat is way too valuable to ignore.

I agree. I was just searching the database for anything that matches that enemy...

...and I got one hit: an Australian water monster called a bunyip.

The entry isn't clear about what they look like, but didn't say they couldn't resemble dogs or alligators.

It also said they live near water, their cries are very loud, and most notably...

...it's said that anyone who meets their gaze dies, period.

So...maybe they can sense someone looking at them, and then use their speed to make sure their prey doesn't escape.

Okay, they may not be another Japanese water monster as we expected...

...but since we only had those crab monk things to go on, I'm not surprised we missed the mark there.

So for the time being, we should trust the information we've seen with our own eyes.

If those creatures are in fact bunyips, then we'll need to think of a way to counteract their abilities.

And we definitely need to rescue the Con they ate.

So these monsters can tell when someone is looking at them, and respond by attacking them at incredible speed, yes?

Then why could we not just have the Con keep their eyes closed?

If they did, we'd just have to weaken the water monsters like before.

Hmm, I don't know if that will work. An experienced Heroic Spirit warrior may be able to keep their eyes closed on a battlefield...

...but I can't suggest the Con try to do the same.

I'm sure these monsters can still move normally. They could just go after the Con like any other predator.

So they could target us with their super speed to get behind our backs...

...then turn around and chow down on the Con hiding behind us.

Yup. So I don't think there's any way to prevent them from going after the Con.

But that doesn't mean we're out of options. There's a very simple solution to a problem like this. Know what it is?

...Armor.

That's right! Since we're already making weapons for the Con, we could make them some armor as well.

And as long as that armor can withstand the bunyip's fangs, it'll buy us enough time to counterattack.

？！

Master, Master! It's me, Ushiwakamaru! I overheard your discussion!

What about Genji armor!? Like mine!

It's sturdy, easy to move around in, and most importantly, it's super cool!

？！

After I heard about all the fun Benkei had, I couldn't sit around twiddling my thumbs.

That damn Benkei. First, he tried to act like it was no big deal, then he tried to convince me I wouldn't like this battlefield.

Never mind that, had I been there, it would have been easy to send the enemy's underlings over a cliff.

Anyway, there you have it, Master! You should join me in wearing a set of Genji armor yourself!

I think she may have missed the part about who this armor is supposed to be for...

I propose we outfit these creatures with the same equipment my Roman legionnaires use.

Galea helmets, lorica cuirasses, scutum shields... This would clearly be the most practical choice, don't you think?

And of course, it comes in gorgeous rose-red colors!

Neroooooo!

Rome!!!

Er, as you can see, this plan has many vocal supporters.

And for the record, they are no more than passersby who had nothing to do with this presentation.

Really, I was just as surprised as you.

Don't be ridiculous. That's the most idiotic idea I've ever heard.

You want more defense? Then you obviously need armor plating.

That includes spaced armor, reactive armor, composite armor... Its countless variations can cover any scenario you need.

I'll admit, additional plating can tend to look somewhat gaudy...

...but the best designers know how to fit the pieces together to make you look your best.

And of course, you need a fancy purge system. When you have to go out, you should do it with a bang.

Th-there certainly are a lot of options, aren't there?

Personally, as long as the armor provides enough defense without sacrificing mobility, I don't care what we use.

Then just like we did with the Con's weapons...

...I think we should have Master decide which type to go with!