Section 14: The Battle To Reclaim Area Four

All right, let's see what happens this time.

Hostiles detected... And they've spotted you, too! They're already trying to charm you!

...!

...!

What about the Con!?

...?

Hmm...

We've seen better.

Like singing so loud it almost made our heads explode!

Boooring!

That is about the reaction I'd expect from them after they saw Nero and Elisabeth performing live together.

I'm not sure if we want them to get too used to that sort of thing, but all in all, this is a good sign.

Looks like them getting some culture did help them resist these things.

(Fidgeting)

I can't get that BGM out of my head.

I already know how to pwn these noobs!

Poggers. Those dance moves remind me of...

Uh-oh. They're already seeing reality as a game!

I know I always think about how I'd free run up a building when I see one IRL.

I find I am always on the lookout for the loathsome campers of spawn when I see a steel tower.

(Nodding along in knowing assent)

I...don't think them not being able to distinguish games from reality is a good thing...

But, being able to imagine fun alternate scenarios is a good thing overall. Looks like them getting some culture did help them resist these things.

...Unfortunately...

This performance doesn't do much for me.

I've already read about ruskali to prepare for this.

Maybe, if they want our attention, they should try poetry readings.

This show is just a little...anemic.

That's the deepest discussion I've ever heard the Con have...

It looks like they learned all about rusalki by reading stories about them.

It just goes to show how wonderful books can be! They're not only entertaining. They also give you the power of knowledge!

Looks like them getting some culture did help them resist these things.

...?

Hmm...

We've seen better.

Like singing so loud it almost made our heads explode!

Boooring!

That is about the reaction I'd expect from them after they saw Nero and Elisabeth performing live together.

I'm not sure if we want them to get too used to that sort of thing, but all in all, this is a good sign.

Looks like them getting some culture did help them resist these things.

Now that they can't manipulate the Con anymore, our plan is the same as with the kelpie: attack, and don't get dragged underwater!

Then let's do it!

Once we take care of these monsters, there will only be one area left to reclaim!

I'm glad to see Master's party is victorious. Not that I expected a different outcome.

Right! Senpai has so much experience as a Master, I was sure he wouldn't have any trouble with them!

Same. All right, while the field team is taking a well-earned break...

...I'd like to address some things that have been on my mind.

Shame Holmes is on leave. This would be a lot easier with him around.

I know, but there's nothing we can do about that now. Besides, it's not like it's anything new.

Anyway, what's on your mind?

There's only one place left to retake on this giant turtle island.

So I wanted to make sure we were all up to speed before heading into that battle.

Specifically, I wanted to talk about our enemiesthe water monsters Hai Bà Trưng and the Con have been facing.

The first type we encountered was merfolk.

These things have so many traits that they feel like an indistinct mass. They seem to be related to mermaids and are known worldwide.

So there's not much to tie them to any particular region.

Indeed. Next, we encountered the hermit crab monks. I saw these creatures for myself.

Such monsters are native to Japan, but these appeared to be a hermit crab variant.

Then there were the bunyips from Australia. They were terrifying monsters with loud, intimidating cries.

After that, there were the vodyanoy, which came from across the sea along with a mysterious mist.

Those monsters are known throughout Russia.

It's said they like to live near sluices, but I never thought they would be able to build their own sluices.

Next was the kelpiewater horses from Scotland.

And most recently, the rusalki, which some people believe are also the vodyanoys' wives.

The various origins of these monsters seem to be completely disparate, but I don't think we can say they're nothing alike, either.

Even the belief that vodyanoys and rusalki are married is just a theory.

But I don't think they even come from the same part of Russia.

More importantly...I'm wondering what else these monsters might have in common.

Hmm...?

No, that's difficult, too. It's not that they all have certain things in common.

I get the sense one of the monsters is the odd one out.

It's just a hunch, but I think it's significant.

So the vast majority of these monsters have one thing in common, except one, and I think that one thing will be the hint.

So what is it, Da Vinci? What is this thing most of them have in common?

Well, as it turns out, these water monsters are...

Hmm. If that's true, then what could it mean?

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to draw any conclusions yet.

But I do think this is the clue we need to start making progress on this mystery.

In fact, I think it's the key to the question that's been bugging us this whole time...

Why have this Singularity's coordinates remained indecipherable?