Section 1: The Delightful Companions' Lovely Job (1/2)

Aww yeah, now you're talkin'! My Massassip' soul's singin' already!

Keep it down, will you? I don't need you yapping right into my ear.

Um... Don't you think catching up in a rowboat might be kind of difficult?

The Takarabune was moving unusually fast for a ship with sails...

Don't worry. We have other trusty employés we can count on to help. Here, I'll introduce you. This is our engine expert...

Delightful Assassin!

... ...

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This is the lynchpin of my team! They're always supporting me from behind the scenes! I hope you'll support them too, Fujimaru!

...Um, if it helps, I'd be glad to take turns rowing.

Don't worry about it, Mash. Everyone has their own job to do. That's what makes the world go round.

Though of course, there are also plenty of people out there who don't know what their job should be, right?

But don't worry! I, Super Bunyan, will decide what everyone should do for them.

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It's a big responsibility, but that's just part of my job as leader. Don't worry. Just trust me, and everything will work out.

Assuming that you all do your jobs too, of course. Promise me you will, okay?

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Hm? What's up? You got a question? That's fine. Dialogue's the first step on the path to peace! So, what do you want to know?

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Well, uh...

Excuse me! Sorry to interrupt, but we've got trouble☆

Hostiles detected, Master!

Oh man, the Jurassic Period sure is dangerous, isn't it☆

I'm glad none of them sunk their teeth into you, Senpai...

Great job, everyone. You made that fight really easy. Keep it up, okay?

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O-oh, right. Silly me.

But, I'm afraid I don't know what Lancer's got in mind either. Sorry!

She used to be one of my delightful companions, and she worked really hard to help me...

...but I never asked her to do anything like this. Ugh, she can be so selfish.

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Now that you mention it, Anning did say something about Bunyan being

The president of the silver screen. Yeah, some people do call me that.

It's because I'm also a filmmaker.

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(Nod)

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I'm always working on a lot of projects! It keeps me busy every day!

So this ordeal with Lancer is really the last thing I needed. Ugh, what is she thinking!?

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...I assume she has her reasons for what she did.

Maybe this is about one-upmanship?

...You'd have to ask her.

In fact, I want to know how she really feels, too.

Which is all the more reason to catch up to the Takarabune right away. Assassin, I'm counting on you!

...Assassin?

... ...

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Rider, are there any places nearby where Assassin could get some rest?

How about New Orleans?

Ooh, good idea. Especially since I've got lots of other employés there too.

It's been a while since we saw each other last, so I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see me.

I'll take over rowing for the time being!

Well, we made it to New Orleans, but...

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Senpai! Look at this sign!

But, we still don't know how this happened...

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What do you want?

Can't you see I'm thinking back to this town in its prime... Now look at it...

Can you tell us what happened here? And, um...does it have anything to do with that sign?

Sign? ...Oh, you mean that one those mice put up last night.

Mice...?

There was a little pack of 'em who came and put it up in a hurry. Dunno why they chose a pile of rubble like that to claim, though.

So, I take it this Anning lady's the boss mouse?

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Man, just when you think you've seen everything.

Come to think of it, I saw a plesiosaur the other day, too. Guess this world's almost done for...

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I agree, Senpai. I can see how the concept of tall tales originated in this land.

At any rate...it sounds like Anning's not the one who destroyed this town then.

So how did this happen?

Hmm... All right, young lady, you really wanna know? The one who ruined our town was

Hey...you there, pig.

Were you just gossiping about me? You totally were, weren't you!?

It's heeer!

Elisabeth!?

Huh!? Who're you calling hell in a dress!?

How did you hear that instead of your name!?

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Yeah, that's right. I'm heavy, metal, and negative. So much so that it makes me want to burn it all down! Everything!

In fact, this is perfect. Now you guys can sacrifice yourselves for me like good little piggies, too.

Um... Does that mean

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Damn straight I do!

How can you be so relaxed about this!? I'm Hell Elisabeth now, you know!

And I'm gonna show you firsthand just how bad the mud at the bottom of the Mississippi tastes!

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Please stay on your guard, Master! Initiating combat!

Why, you...!

Elisabeth, wait! Please, tell us what happened!

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Of course we can'tHm? What's that sound?

Bonjooour, mes employés!

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It's me, your leader! Super Bunyan! And this is my "dressed-to-kill" outfit!

Long time no see, my New Orleans employés! I thought I'd surprise you all today.

How's everyone been?

Oh, they're all doing great!

I clawed my way back here from the depths of hell just so I could drag you there!

It's you! You destroyed our town, you villain!

You got a lotta nerve, showing your face here again!

Um... I think there may have been a misunderstanding. Maybe now's a good time to talk about it?

Oh, no you don't! You're not fooling me again!

I'm happy to talk things out. It's always good to keep dialogue going.

Have you STILL not learned your lesson! Ugh! Men!

C'mon, it's not Bunyan's fault the town ended up like this! That was all

What? You're saying it was MY fault!?

Nah. It's all because of that movie. That's where everything went wrong.

Um...a movie?

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...See for yourself.

The showboat's here! We're gonna make a killing tonight!

You pigs can't wait till evening, huh? Oh, all right. I guess I can sing you one song early, just this once!

Booohhhhhh♪

We're goin' down!

Somebodyyy save meee♪

The town! It's destroying the town!

My song (curse) will go ooon and ooon♪

Well? Terrifying, right?

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I'll say! How could they treat me like that!? I wound up head-first in the Mississippi mud!

You actually sank the ship!?

I didn't even get a stunt double! Or a paycheck!

You said you were okay with that.

Only 'cause you promised me a private stadium where I could put on a concert every night! What happened to that!?

You destroyed it with your breathI mean, song.

Yeah, that was an unfortunate accident, wasn't it?

Th-that wasn't my fault! I'd just been put through hell!

If anything, you should be trembling in awe at my incredible talent!

You're right! Your sheer potential just blew me away! That was a world-ending performance, if ever I saw one!

Huh? Y-you really think so? 'Cause I was just warming up, you know?

Don't let her flatter you!

We only agreed to help 'cause you said you'd pay us back for everything. That was the deal.

But all we got for our trouble was this one reel of film. The day I hung up a sheet over some rubble, only to see THAT

Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, wasn't it?

Don't you play dumb! Give us back our money!

Yeah, about that... Could you give me just a little more time? I'm working on recouping our expenses even as we speak.

Hang on. Did you actually put THAT in theaters?

Of course! I've been setting records for fastest film production in all sorts of places. We're witnessing a myth in the making!

(Murderous glares)

I understand. You have a lot you want to say to me, right? Okay, let's talk about this.

Why don't you tell me what you really think, Julie?

You...you remembered my name?

Of course I did. You're part of my band.

You'll join us too, right, Andy?

You bet!

I'm so glad you understand!

You still better pay us back!

Of course! You're at the top of my list. And I always keep my promises.

Okay, Fujimaru and Mash, would you mind helping me pay them back?

Huh?

Accounting, would you show them the total amount?

(Quickly presents a file)

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Well, you ARE my employés now, right?

B-but Bunyan, we're just here to recover the Holy Grail...

What's the point of restoring humanity if there aren't trustworthy humans left? Keeping our promises is more important now than ever!

Of course, I'll do everything I can to get more sponsorships, too. But we can't wait that long for funding. We need some liquidity now!

I have complete faith that you can help me get it.

Good luck, Fujimaru and Mash! Together, I know we can do this!