Prologue: Takarabune on the Mississippi

Yeah. Haven't you heard of them?

I've heard them defined as..."stories which are presented as factual but contain wild or very exaggerated elements."

The term itself is said to come from the frontiers of the United States in the time of the Old West.

Yup!

They were popular from the gold rush of the nineteenth century all the way into the twentieth century.

People told them all the time in bars, or while they sat around campfires.

It was usually lumberjacks, cowboys, and pioneers entertaining each other by spinning the most outlandish yarns they could.

In fact, you're said to have originated in a tall tale yourself, Bunyan.

Yup! Ehehe, it's kind of weird to think about.

Anyway, all sorts of people show up in tall tales.

There's John Henry, the steel-driving man... Pecos Bill, the cowboy...

...and Mike Fink, the brawling boatman!

Sometimes you get real-life people too, like Davy Crockett.

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I see... These tall tales sound fascinating. Now I kind of want to look into these legends for myself.

There are lots of characters from tall tales!

But now that I think about it, they might've been the embodiment of pioneers' hopes, dreams, and stuff.

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Master, you know a lot about other countries and cultures, right? Do you know any tall tales from elsewhere?

If you do, I'd really like to hear them.

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Duck Hunter...? Um, how did he hunt

What made him special? Tell me about him!

Kicchomu...?

Hehe, what a funny name! C'mon, tell me!

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Oh...

Da Vinci's calling for you, Senpai. She wants you to come to the Command Room.

Aww. Just when we were getting to the good part.

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Oui, ça va! Let's pick it back up after you get back!

Sorry for calling you on such short notice. I figure you were just relaxing in your room?

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Yeah? Sounds like a real trickster.

I agree. I think he must have been some kind of magecraft hunter who achieved success by surprising his targets.

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Kicchomu...?

That's an interesting name...

Hmm. This is all weirdly intriguing, but it'll have to wait until later.

We just detected another minute Singularity, and we want you to investigate it. Business as usual, right?

Anyway, this latest one is located near the Mississippi River basin in early twenty-first century America.

Mississippi...

We've been to the U.S. a few times now but never near Mississippi. What else do we know about this Singularity?

Well, the thing with this minute Singularity is that it's kind of...floaty?

I'm not really sure how else to describe it.

Floaty.

Oh, also, you're the only Servant who can Rayshift along with Fujimaru this time, so I'll be counting on you to keep him safe.

Understood.

I wish I could send at least two others along to be safe, but it looks like that's just not an option this time. Sorry.

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Right, Senpai! I'll do my very best!

That's the spirit! Now I can send you two on your way without needing to worry.

All right then, let's go get you ready to Rayshift!

Don't worry, we'll be backing you up from here like usual. And this time, I'll make sure we don't lose connection!

Just reeelax and trust you're in good hands!

Rayshift complete. Look, Senpai. That must be...

...the Mississippi River. What a beautiful view.

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Right. The Mississippi is one of the longest rivers in the world and is arguably symbolic of the entire North American continent.

It's long been used for commerce, watering crops, transportation... In many ways, it's essential to the local populace.

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Right. It's a very serious situation.

I hope we can find the problem and repair it as soon as possible...

...but right now, I don't see anything that looks wrong or out of place...

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You do? Where is it, Senpai?

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Oh, you're right! I don't think it even has an engine. Is it a rowboat?

As explained, this minute Singularity is supposed to be in early twenty-first century America, meaning, modern times. So...

...Huh? We lost our connection to Chaldea.

I guess this means we're on our own yet again...

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Is that...a sailing ship? The river twists and turns so much, it's hard to see clearly.

Still, something about that silhouette doesn't seem right...

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Right! I'm with you every step of the way, Senpai!

Master! Is that really

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I knew it! It looks just like the famous Takarabune treasure ship, a traditional Japanese symbol of good fortune.

But...what's the Takarabune doing on the Mississippi River...?

Senpai, look! It's picking up speed and getting away!

Huh? Hang on. It just changed direction...

Now it's headed straight for us. What's going on?

Hey, I see someone coming out!

What is this feeling in my chest? Is our long yearned-for meeting finally drawing near!?

Well, if someone's calling, we'd better answer! Hang in there, Boss!

Hey! Who told ya to turn us around!?

Oh, hi, Ms. Anning.

Thought I told you to call me "Boss"!

I'm detecting magical energy signals. Those people are all

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Right. The Holy Grail is probably on that ship!

So, you followed us here, huh? Then, get a load of this!

Arrête! Hold it right there!

Dammit, she already caught up...

Master, look! That looks like...

...Paul Bunyan?

But...not quite like the one we know...

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Right. She looks a little taller and older now, like a teenager.

Haut les mains! Hands in the air! Nobody move!

Muahahahaha! This is a stickup!

You want a piece of me!?

So, you're refusing to comply, huh? Then we'll just have to see who's stronger!

They're attacking us, too! Please get back, Master!

Cut, cut! Supervisor, I don't think these are bad guys.

You don't?

Who gives a hoot!? Let's get 'em anyway!

Wait! We just got swept up in all this! We don't mean you any harm!

Oh. Sorry, I thought you guys were with Lancer.

The hell they are! Did you NOT see me trying to kill 'em!?

I guess we got off on the wrong foot. You'll forgive me though, right? Here, how 'bout a makeup hug?

Oh, uh, okay...

That's it! Beautiful shot☆ Just hold that pose!

Huh!?

Um, would you mind asking permission before filming us!?

I appreciate your enthusiasm, Rider, but she's right. You can't film people without their permission.

Oh, it's fine. We just have to make them our employés☆

Bonne idée!

Um, I'm sorry, employés?

You know, employees! We want you to work for us☆

Come on, Rider, you gotta hype it up. Here, let me try.

So, what do you two say to joining my gang?

My name's Paul Bunyan, and I want you to become my delightful companions, aka employés, so we can all make myths together!

M

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My name's Paul Bunyan, and I want you to become my delightful companions, aka employés, so we can all make myths together!

I knew it. You really are Paul Bunyan.

Oh, so you've heard of me. Ehehe, I'm flattered.

Oh yes, of course!

You're the giant lumberjack who helped shape the U.S.A. into the country it is today.

You're a hero to people far and wide. You've had all kinds of incredible adventures.

Also, you're registered as one of Chaldea's Heroic Spirits.

Though you seem to be a little different from our Bunyan...

Oh wow, you know about my lumberjack days, huh? That's a little embarrassing...

Bahahahaha! What's wrong, girlie? Ain't too proud of those days!?

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Let me introduce you. This is Mike, my partner and noted bad influence. He was the first to join my delightful companions.

Nice to meetcha, honeybuns. You too, kid.

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"Honeybuns"...?

Oh, for...! Cut that out, Mike. Don't talk around other people, okay? I don't need you getting us into another fight.

And I'm the Delightful Rider☆

I'm Mash Kyrielight. It's a pleasure to meet you.

...

Are you filming me without asking again!?

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Oh! I'm sorry. Professional habits die hard... But you're right. This isn't really the time to film.

Let's recruit these two later, Supervisor. Right now, we need to do something about Lancer.

Would you stop calling me "Supervisor," Rider? It's so stuffy, and not even kind of cute.

Then what should I call you instead? CEO? Madam President?

I mean, yes, I am those things, but I was hoping for something with a bit more...dazzle? I'm not a lumberjack anymore, you know.

I've gone from rough-and-tumble to fashion-forward! From making my muscles flex to making hearts throb! Goodbye, forests! Hello, fans!

Now, I've grown a forest of social media followers bigger than any I ever chopped down, and my likes are piling up higher than popcorn at the movies!

I've basically been reborn as Super Bunyana miraculous leader born from all my adoring fans' likes!

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You said your name was Fujimaru, right? You'll be one of my employés, right?

Right!?

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As I was saying, Supervisor, recruitment can wait until

Don't be ridiculous! What could be more important than growing our roster of employés!?

Boss Bunyaaan!

Bonjour, Caster. It's good to see you again!

Let me introduce you, Fujimaru. Those two are Caster. They're some of my delightful employés, too.

It's an honor!

And that over there is one of our other employés, Delightful Lancer.

Call me that again, and I'll dig a hole right through your skull!

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Oh, don't mind Lancer. She's just shy.

I told you, quit calling me by my class name! I'm not one of your "employés", and I'm no ordinary Lancer, either.

My name's Anning. Mary Anning. Don't you go treating me like I'm just another wide-eyed country girl!

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You've heard of me? You have, right?

Y-yes, we have. Though I've only skimmed the database entry for you...

So then, are you Mary Anning, the famous paleontologist and fossil collector?

Damn right! Believe it or not, I'm a scholar. And I've got a lot of friends in high places, to boot.

I-I see...

Oh, Lancer... Isn't there any way we can get along again?

Sorry, but I'm taking this, uh, Takarabune for myself. Its owner gave it to me fair and square.

...She's right. We let her have it on our honor as Daikokuten.

See!? Got a problem with that!?

Daikokuten...!

There are legends in Japan of seven gods of fortune known as the Shichifukujin. Daikokuten is said to be one of their foremost members.

That's right. He originally came from India's Mahākāla and is said to have developed a following in Japan as one of the seven gods of fortune known as, well, the Shichifukujin.

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So if they really are Daikokuten, the head of the Shichifukujin, then it would make sense for them to own the Takarabune!

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Right. I believe the Takarabune itself is the Holy Grail.

So that's how it is, huh, Caster? That's too bad.

Um... Does that mean you're upset?

I wouldn't say "upset." Just disappointed. I trusted you two, after all...

Ulp!

But hey, you two are still my employés, right? Then it's fine. We can always try again.

Now come on back to me.

We can't come back to you, Boss!

We never left you in the first place.

What was that!? I thought you overgrown rats said you were gonna follow me. Are you betraying me!?

Not at all!

You're our boss too, of course.

What the hell're you talking about!? I thought you were rats, not moles!

We are mice who came to this Singularity on behalf of our busy master, Daikokuten.

We're nothing compared to our master, the god of fortune. We are only a tool for a boss to use.

So the more bosses we have to serve, the better.

With more to serve, we can spread even more happiness!

I don't believe this... You said you'd give me anything I wanted, right?

Yes. That's why we let you have the Takarabune, just like you wanted.

Then you said you wanted us to help you escape, so we did that, too.

Then will you do what I want, too? I want you to come back right now, Caster. Along with the Takarabune.

W-we, um...

(Glare)

...I'm afraid we can't make decisions on difficult issues like that on our own.

So we have to ask both you bosses to talk this out and settle it between yourselves.

Yeah? Then let's settle this with skill.

Bring it on, Bunyan! And may the best woman win!

I'll keep the camera rolling☆

Make me look cool, okay?

All right, Lancer. As the leader of my delightful companions, I accept your challenge!

It's Anning! My name is Mary Anning!

In fact, I'll go one step further. I hear you're known as the president of the silver screen...

...but from now on, you'll bow to Mary Anning, Queen of the Jurassic Period!

Go on, Plesiosaurus! Show 'em what the Queen of the Jurassic Period can really do!

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Huh?

Huh?

Squeee...

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Wh-what the heck!? My Plesiosaurus should be a lot stronger!

Did I not say I wanted the strongest plesiosaur of all time!?

Well, there will always be differences among individuals...

And it takes a lot of time and effort to raise one properly, so...

So what, you're saying it's still not full-grown? Dammit! Why didn't you say so sooner!?

Well, there you have it. That one didn't count. Let's do this again after he's full-grown.

I'm gonna get you good next time! Just you wait!

Bye, Boss Bunyan! Take care of yourself!

Aww, come on...

What would you like to do, Supervisor?

...What do you think we should do, Rider?

This footage is unusable. It was just a waste of film.

I was thinking the same! I'm so glad you're one of my companions.

In that case...what we need to do right now is recruit more employés.

Fujimaru! I need your help. You'll join my band, right?

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You're looking for the Holy Grail, right?

I heard you talking about it with Mash. You guys aren't from around here, right?

That's right. Senpai and I came to this minute Singularity here as part of our mission to restore humanity.

Then you guys can totally join my band. In fact, you have to.

You saw for yourselves how Lancer's got the Holy Grail. That's why this world is so messed up.

Take a look around. Notice anything unusual?

Unusual...?

...Oh! There! I see something! Several somethings!

Not all are truly dinosaurs, but I understand what you mean!

Yes, they are, Senpai! Now that I'm looking closer...

...I'm seeing extremely lively creatures from ancient times popping in and out all over!

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Um... We've actually seen creatures like these alive and well before.

We've even seen wyvern-like Phantasmals that wouldn't normally exist.

But it's still sobering to see how much breadth a single part of an ecosystem like this can have...

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It's all Lancer's fault. She used the Holy Grail to release a bunch of Jurassic-era creatures into the Mississippi River.

You mean Mary Anning, the early nineteenth-century English paleontologist who devoted her life to excavating fossils.

She made some of the greatest contributions to early paleontology.

That includes the discovery of complete, large reptilian skeletons, especially ichthyosaurus and plesiosaurus...

...the latter of which we just fought a few moments ago.

Plesiosaurus is Lancer's favorite. He's pretty cute...but I can't let him just run around unchecked.

If we don't do something, these Jurassic creatures will overrun all of the Mississippi.

So please, Fujimaru. Help me stop Lancer.

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Thank you!

Huh!? She just hugged him like it was the most natural thing in the world!

And you're filming it, too!?

Annnd cut. Great take, guys☆

Okay, then let's get going. We've gotta follow the Takarabune!

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How else? By following the Mississippi River upstream!

What do we do? What do we do?

Boss Bunyan and Boss Anning both want the Takarabune for themselves...

We can't just choose between them! They'll have to compete for it!

But how do we make that happen!?

Why don't we have them compete for points!?

Good idea! Let's do it! Whoever fills up their Boss Gauge wins!

Bosses'll get cushions for competing♪ The harder you try, the more cushions you get♪

And once one boss gets enough cushions, the Takarabune will be hers!

Good luck, Bosses! We're rooting for both of you!