Section 2: To Heroes with Love

...I think I shall remain on the ship and sit this next area out.

Besides, one of us must stay behind to keep the director safe.

(That only makes me more nervous.)

(Want me to stay here and keep an eye on him, Doc?)

(Yes, thank you. That would be helpful.)

You know, Master, I'm gonna sit this one out too.

You should be fine without me, especially since another Servant's joined us.

？！

All right, today marks the second day of our Arctic Circle Singularity expedition! Now go out there and conquer this second area!

We're here!

Hmm. Interesting...

Wow, a whole other area! I've never seen any of the others before.

Gosh, it's so different from mine.

A kingdom, eh? Hehehe.

Oh, don't mind me. I just find that word funny for some reason.

Hmph. These so-called thrilling attractions are only thrilling because there's an ever-present element of danger.

If things go wrong, someone could end up with the kind of injury you never see in normal life...

...Hehehe. You're right. That does sound like fun.

Right!?

Uh, Gareth, I don't think Dr. Asclepius's idea of fun is quite what you're thinking of...

？！

There you guys are.

The Valkyries asked me to wait here for you.

I guess I'm technically the, uh...ruler of this area? Manager? Something like that...

Erice! So you're the one in charge here!

I have no idea what I'm doing here, honestly. Karin was always way better at this kind of stuff.

I've never even thought about how you'd entertain people... (Grumbling)

Erice?

N-never mind. It's nothing.

Anyway, you've heard what the deal is here, right?

I was put in charge of running this area, but it's not going very well.

The customers just aren't enjoying this place. In fact, lots of them seem to hate it.

If I were to put it in terms of spiciness levels, I'd say this predicament's about a...two?

Only a two? That doesn't sound so bad.

(Oh, right. Boudica has mentioned that Erice's sense of taste is...odd.)

...Yikes.

？！

Yikes indeed. I think I can see the problem.

Every day, we see fewer customers than the day before.

I'm doing the best I can, and I honestly think this place is a lot of fun, but...

Well, if you have any advice for me, um...I'd be really grateful.

P-please! I'm begging you! (Bow)

Don't worry! We've got this! It's actually why we're here anyway.

Wasn't your area failing before we came along, though?

M-maybe you should keep those kinds of thoughts to yourself, Hildr...

Incidentally, you can think of me as your little sister from paradise.

Didn't you say you were Lord Merlin's little sister?

And that basically makes me everyone's little sister!

Huh???

Little sister? I've kind of already got my hands full with my sort of little brother...

Well, whatever. So, what do you guys think I should do?

Starting with fundamentals? Okay, got it. Come on, I'll show you around.

You wanna see things for yourselves? Okay, follow me. I'll show you around.

？！

So, this area's mostly made up of seaside attractions.

Um, I think there's a famous theme park near Tokyo that does something similar?

Anyway, here's the first attraction. Prepare to be blown away.

I call it...The Titanic Eight-Boat Leap!

The goal is to make it back to shore by jumping from deck to deck across eight sinking passenger liners!

Since the ships ACTUALLY SINK, you have to think fast, act fast...

...and be as light on your feet as Ushiwakamaru.

Ooh, look, we've got a challenger! This is great! It's been forever since any visitors tried this attraction.

H-here goooes!

？！

Aw.

Forget it!

This is impossible! How the hell's anyone supposed to do this when the timing's so tight!?

I thought I might have a chance since I'm technically a Rider, but no!

I guess I got a little full of myself, thinking I could be like a real hero...

Maybe I should just give up and sink to the bottom like a sea slug...

He's not coming back up.

I wonder if... All right!

What did he mean, "all right"!?

Maybe he went to check whether Mandricardo's hurt?

That must be it! Oh, Dr. Asclepius...

Hmm. Seems like a pretty difficult attraction.

What would you say the success rate is?

Huh? I don't think I know what you mean...

？！

...

One.

Just one...?

I have it set up so that anyone who clears it gets their picture on the wall to celebrate their victory.

People love leaderboards and stuff like that, right? So I thought this would really appeal to people's competitive nature.

Here. This is the picture of the only person to clear the attraction perfectly.

？！

C-come on! There wouldn't be much point if it was too easy, right?

Especially with all these heroes here to try.

So I figured pegging the difficulty to Ushiwakamaru's skill level was the obvious choice.

Sounds like she didn't consider the polar bear and seabird visitors.

I don't think she even considered most of the Heroic Spirits...

Hmm, okay. I understand what's going on with this attraction.

Can we see the next one?

This one is called Pirates of the Polarrean.

It's like a naval warfare sim, only played on an actual oceanic battlefield.

Each player gets to choose which pirate faction they want to join, and each faction has different stats, like firepower, speed, and so

Hold it!

We have MANY objections to this attraction supposedly themed after us!

Like how come my ship's stats are such garbage? Is it about to sink!?

These stats in no way reflect what my Royal Fortune is actually capable of, either.

I object. Both to my ship's stats and to you not having a mekakure hairstyle.

Forget the mekakure crap! The rest is a REAL problem!

And I have so many questions about all the other ships!

For instance, how come Drake's Golden Hind is the only one with such insane stats!?

How come it's so damn OP!? Nobody's gonna want to pick anything but the old hag's rust bucket!

I hate to say this, but even I'd pick it since the only good choice on the list!

Huh? W-well, come on, that's 'cause Sir Drake is special. I mean, she's just plain stronger and cooler than the rest of you, right?

Uh, wow. Biased, much!?

You're really letting your own preferences influence your decisions here way too much...

I mean, okay, yes, that's part of it. But that's not ALL it is.

Just look at the historical record.

Did any of you have a privateer license? You didn't, right? How about personal ties to the queen? Thought not.

So it only makes sense that Sir Drake's skills and such in this game would reflect that. If anything, I'd say that makes it more realistic, not less.

Ah, I see the problem now. You're so into this stuff you can't be objective about it, can you?

If a competitive game has one faction or character that's obviously much stronger than the others, well...

...there's the reason people are turned off by it.

Hmm. I think this helps explain why this attraction hasn't been doing very well.

I mean, why would anyone play a game when the winners and losers are foregone conclusions?

H-here's the next attraction! It's our flagship attraction, the best one here by far!

Hehe. I hope you're ready to have your minds blown.

I give you...The Adventure of the Argo!

What's that now!?

Oh, right! I forgot one of the actual Argonauts was here! N-now I'm really nervous...

W-well, go on! Just take a look!

In The Adventure of the Argo, players assume the role of one of the Argo's crew...

...and go on, well, they get to go on all kinds of adventures with the rest of the famous crew.

？！

Exactly. It's simple enough that anyone can enjoy it, so I was sure it would be a huge hit.

It, uh, hasn't worked out that way, though.

I see this is just as empty and unpopular as the other attractions were. Hehehe.

Come on! You don't have to sound so damn HAPPY about that!

Ahem. Anyway, why don't you guys try it for yourselves?

First, let me introduce you to the crew of the Argo. They'll be your guides on this adventure!

Naturally, we'll start with Captain Jason! Go ahead, Captain!

Hi! I'm Captain Jason!

(Beaming)

...That's not actually Jason, is it?

Gnn...

No! No, it's not!

I tried to hire the real Argonauts, but they all turned me down!

So, I was kind of forced to bring in some...um, substitutes.

I might not be up to the task...

...but I'll always do what I can to help Erice if she's in trouble.

Besides, we're talking about the great Captain Jason here.

I go off in search of distant stars, just like him.

So I thought pretending to be him could be really educational!

Ghh, what a good kid!

Now I feel bad for thinking the only thing you had in common was being blond!

You're a great Captain Jason!

...Got anyone else here?

O-of course I do. Here! Behold, the strongest of all heroes: Heracles!

Me, playing one of the strongest heroes of all time? Nothing wrong with that! Might even land me some chicks!

You know, now that I mention it...I do wonder why we have so few female customers...

？！

Heracles is a hero among heroes. He's known far and wide for his physique, so I thought we'd start there and figure something out for his uh...persona later.

What kind of physique is it you expect from a teddy bear!?

Well I tried to get the human one, but he gave me the slip!

Next up: the fleet-footed hunter, Atalante!

Are you sure you couldn't have found someone better for this? Queen of Sheba...maybe Nikitich?

Um...no?

I don't know about you, but I never really thought her fluffy ears were her main appeal.

I haven't asked her when she even got those ears so I can't be sure, but I'm guessing it wasn't until after the journey for the golden fleece.

At any rate, Atalante's known for being a hunter who's quick on her feet, which makes you the only good choice...I think.

How do you figure!? All we have in common is that we're hunters! Wouldn't it be better if you at least got, I dunno, an actual woman instead!?

Next up, we have the divine twins, the Dioscuri: Castor and Pollux.

Kaka. Life certainly is full of surprises, isn't it, Brother?

Kaka. It would be quite dull if it weren't, Sister.

？！

At least we know they hit as hard as the real Dioscuri, right? Besides, I'm working with substitutes. Cut me a little slack.

And finally, we have Asclepius!

Huh?

Uh, not you! Her!

We're gonna dismemwe mean, operate on you.

？！

Ahaha. I haven't been part of this group for very long, but even I can figure out what's going on here.

It's that you both love to carve your targets up, isn't it? I gotcha.

Don't give me that. I don't only get my hands dirty for surgery. I'm interested in all types of conditions.

That said...you do handle those scalpels very well. You could go far with a little more practice.

Yaaay! Thanks, mister!

Anyway, that's who I've got so far.

I asked if Caenis would be interested, but they also gave me the slip and I haven't been able to find a good substitute.

Hmm... Okay, I see what's up now!

This attraction is meant to send visitors on a fun and exciting adventure with your cast of stand-ins, right?

We might be better able to help if we went on this adventure ourselves.

Seeing everything in action might help us identify the problems!

I agree!

Me too!

Well, um, for...some reason, there's no one in line for the next voyage, sooo...

...we could do that right now, if you want.

All right then, go ahead and experience everything my flagship attraction, The Adventure of the Argo, has to offer!

Make me proud, everyone!

Yes ma'am. Copy that! Yeah, okay. It's dismemwe mean, operating time!

？！

S-so what'd you think? We had the Golden Fleece from Colchis... Bebryces's boxer Amycus... The Clashing Rocks...

That should give you a pretty good idea of the course!

？！

Well, the whole appeal of this attraction is how it feels like you're sailing on the Argo yourself, right?

So I think, maybe... Nnn...

I think you should try a little harder to make it feel more authentic!

I-I think I have to agree. Everyone's skill names certainly fit their parts...

...but the actual skills were the same as usual, so...

I see...

It's a mess.

Ghh... Coming from one of the actual Argonauts, that really stings!

But...I know you're right.

Everyone's trying their best, but there's only so much they can do.

Hmm, I don't know about that. There were some parts I thought were pretty good.

And Master said he had fun too, remember?

So I think you might be closer than you realize. Just a few small improvements could really turn this around.

Y-you think so? Like what?

What do you think could be improved the most easily, Asclepius?

...Hmph.

I'm just a doctor, so I claim no knowledge of managing these kinds of attractions...

...but I will say that your casting choices don't make any sense.

Huh?

If your stand-ins don't look the part, you need to find parts they ARE suited to.

That alone will make the attraction feel a lot more like actually being on the Argo.

Let's see, for example... You really think people will buy those two as Dioscuri? Don't make me laugh. Uncontrollable laughter can be pathological too, you know.

What? Are you saying I'm a poor little sister?

Yes, exactly. If I had to pick a part for the two of you, it would be the brothers Idas and Lynceus.

Idas even used a spear, so you fit the part that much better.

Oh?

The Aphareids, the sons of Aphareus! But, weren't they the Dioscuri's mortal enemies?

Doesn't matter. They were Argonauts, so they won't be out of place here.

Fine with me. To be honest, I don't really care who I'm playing.

Exactly. No matter how we may appear on the outside, on the inside, we cannot wait to see what happens next.

I suspect the same is true for all martial artist siblings.

Indeed. It is our similarities that make us so eager to find out just how we measure up.

...I'm glad you guys are getting into character, but please don't actually fight each other to the death until after you've finished this job.

Next... You look like a bandit, so you might be better off playing Autolycus.

Well yeah, of course. Noble sorts don't really see a difference between chivalrous thieves and regular bandits, so that part would suit me a lot better.

Autolycus! The son of Hermes, and an expert thief!

This is all sounding so much more realistic... You really were an Argonaut, huh?

O-oh man, I have so many questions about what the real Argonauts were likOh, b-but this isn't really the time... Even so...

(Erice seems really conflicted.)

What about me? Got anyone who'd be even more popular with the ladies than Heracles?

Hmm... You'd probably be okay as Meleager.

Who's that again?

He made a pass at Atalante, even though he was a married man. Seems like the perfect part for you.

That's your only reason!?

As for you... I think you'd make a good Admetus.

Who was that?

Jason's cousin. They even had the same hair color.

But, hehehe, the most important thing about Admetus by far...

...is that Zeus punished that stupid, shitty sun god by making him act as his godservant. Isn't that great?

You should track that wooly bastard down and make him serve you now. It'll really add to the authenticity.

Don't feel bad about giving him the most humiliating tasks you can come up with. In fact, make SURE you do that.

Okay. If I see Paris, I'll ask him to help me with that.

I guess I'm just not cut out to play Captain Jason.

...No, you're not.

He might seem like just another cocky bastard who's all bark and no bite at first...

But he was resourceful, analytical, decisive, a born leader...everything you need to be a great captain.

In fact, it's probably the only reason the damn ship even went anywhere, what with all our shortcomings.

Not many people then or now could easily take his place...

(Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm getting to hear real thoughts about Captain Jason from one of the real Argonauts! This is a dream come true!)

(That's it, Voyager. Just keep him talkinHm?)

...Huh? Isn't that

(Cough, cough) Ahem, ahem!

(Instantly stops talking)

？！

So, uh...

I wasn't eavesdropping or anything. I just happened to be passing by.

Anyway, don't talk about me behind my back! If you wanna say something nice about me, say it to my face!

I'm not saying anything nice about you. Perhaps you are experiencing auditory hallucinations. Let me see your ears.

Oh, right, of course! Ugh, this is so like you!

I know I bailed earlier 'cause it seemed like a pain in the ass, but I got so curious I had to come back and see how things were going.

And I have to say, this is a shambles. Seeing something with the Argo's name in such a sorry-ass state is almost painful!

I, um... I'm sorry...

Heh, don't beat yourself up too much. It's just not the Argo without me, and you can't help that!

Ugh, fine! Yeah, I was just passing by, but I guess now I have no choice!

Huh? Then, does that mean

？！

Yeah, yeah. But only 'cause I feel like it, okay? Just acting on a whim here. Nothing more.

(Dammit. Even I'm not so heartless that I can stand by and do nothing after hearing all that...)

Besides, I can't have people going around thinking this is all there was to the Argo.

So, now that's settled, let's turn this mess into a real adventure worthy of the Argo's name!

Hey, you! Don't just stand there! Get over here and help us out!

...Oh, very well. I suppose I can help. In a...supervisory role.

I refused earlier because it would have been too embarrassing to do this sort of thing by myself...

...but I cannot in good conscience let Jason carry this ship's name on his own.

That would only get people thinking about the Argo in an entirely different and unpleasant light.

And besides...

Hmm?

We cannot stand idly by as children are forced into labor in our stead.

We weren't forced. We wanted to work here.

I see. Then perhaps you would like to help in another way. They do say certain jobs are better suited for some than others.

So from now on, your job is to bring your friends here and enjoy yourselves as much as possible.

Can you do that?

We sure can! Okay, we'll be back with them real soon!

All right. Now that I'm here, I'm gonna make sure you all do this right. Got it?

Yes, sir!

Wow! They're all in unison now!

That was amazing! I think this attraction might just have a real shot now!

Ehehe. Great job, Dr. Asclepius.

Huh? What are you talking about? I didn't do anything.

Of course you did. Jason would never have shown up to help if you hadn't taken this so seriously.

So I think you're definitely indirectly responsible for this development!

Um, Let me put it another way...

It's like when a doctor's casual comment makes a patient feel better...

...which then also helps with their symptoms. I think?

Um, I think there's an expression that goes something like, "Sickness and health start in the mind," right? Well, there you go!

Hmm. Okay, I can understand that. Though I don't care for how casual that approach to treatment is. Medicine needs to be clearly defined, and its effects reproducible for it to advance.

I'll have to hold a consultation with them and observe their progress so that I can

I don't think we have that kind of time.

No matter how much it improves, no single attraction can be enough to turn this entire area around.

So let's go take a look at the next attraction!

？！

Oh and while we're at it, let's pay a visit to the food court, too. You can't do good work on an empty stomach!

O-of course! Follow me! I know I've been saying this kind of thing, but I'm proud of our food court's offerings! Really!

... ...

？！

They say spiciness directly stimulates the tongue's pain receptors.

If that's true, there could be some new medical possibilities worth exploring there. Hehehe...

At any rate, milk and other dairy products should help. Drink up.

Ahaha. I'm not usually one for eating food, but I don't think this menu was...normal?

Oh, I did get that it was all very healthy, though.

R-right?

The whole point of the food court was to offer delicious, nutritious food in generous portions!

I really didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Well, I guess now that you mentioned it, maybe I did lean a little too much into my own personal tastes...

I-I mean, it was definitely yummy, but

But there was, like, zero variety! It looked like there were lots of things to choose from, but there was only one flavor: pain!

I mean, just look at these choices! Mega spicy ice cream! Death churros! Lava waffles! Non-concentrate, freshly squeezed habanero juice!

True, I do get the menu selection is one of the reasons your area isn't more popular...

Huh!? You're kidding, right!? The menu has tons of flavors to choose from! We've got chili peppers, habanero, wasabi...

Well, now that we've brought in someone to help, I'm sure things will be fine.

Sure, that moment where her eyes went all wide in terror when she saw how bad things were was a little disheartening...

...but I'm sure all that shock just means she'll do everything she can to turn the place around.

This...this...this is horrific, chirp! Why in the world did you let things get so bad!?

Food service is supposed to be about hospitality, not hostility!

？！

Hmph. Well, some people really loved the old menu, just so you know.

There was Ms. Cuh, Caren... The Arjuna with the really bright divine aura...

Oh, also a priest I've never seen around Chaldea...

All right, enough of this. What about the next attraction?

Right. I'm really proud of this next one, so I don't think it'll need any changes! ...Probably.

It's our most popular attraction by far; it even makes more money than the rest of this area combined!

It's called The Nautilus's Seabed Expedition!

As you can see, this is a water attraction! People board the Nautilus and go on a...well, seabed expedition.

In some ways, it's like the Argo attraction we just saw...

...but this one uses the enclosed space of a submarine to cast a special temporary spell.

What it does is, it projects a specific avatar onto every participant that really makes you feel like you're there.

That's right! Everyone who participates in this attraction can experience what it's like to pilot the real Nautilus as Captain Nemo!

Hmm.

This feels kind of weird... Oh, hey, it's working on you too, Master.

...

？！

Hmm, I see. So it's a type of illusion.

Though I have to say, this seems like it would require an awful lot of effort to run if you're not part incubus like me.

How does it work?

Well

I can answer that. (Breathing hard)

Yes, there you have it. It's because we original Nemos are helping out.

That's right. Hup!

Now, what was I supposed to do next again? Adjust the oven temperature? Slice the bread? Um...uhhh...

Again, the realism is a big part of the appeal, so I hired the real Nemos! Spared no expense!

So, we can project their images onto the participants...

...which gives them an incredibly realistic Nemo experience! Pretty amazing, right!?

And it's working too! Look how many customers we have here!

？！

Waaah!

There's too much to do and no time to do iiit!

Huh? The next group's here? Already? Wait! I need more tiiime!

The ride itself is getting all out of whack! Quit using it so damn much! Give it a break, would you!?

We can't! Even the express line is packed like crazy!

It, uh, seems like you're working them pretty hard.

You're not worried the Nemo Series might be a little...um, overworked?

Ulp.

Well, uh...maybe a little. I just didn't know how popular this attraction was going to be.

(All the visitors must have gathered here because the other attractions have so little to offer.)

I'll admit that one of the downsides of this system...

...is that the Nemo Series have to be inside the attraction at all times to project the avatars.

B-but I'm also making up for it by paying them special bonuses!

So there're definitely no illegal labor practices going on here!

I made sure to factor in break times for them, too...in theory.

Yes, that's true. We are being fairly compensated for our work here.

But the problem is, we all exist first and foremost to operate submarines.

We can't just forget about that aspect of ourselves, even if the submarine we're operating now is only part of an attraction.

So, we'd love to take a break, but our bodies are basically hardwired to keep working.

Incidentally, the Captain is recovering in the infirmary right now after collapsing on the job.

I don't know if he had some kind of worker's high or what, but he refused to stop. I had to tie him down to the bed to prevent him from crawling back to work.

Well now, that sounds like an interesting condition. You'll have to show me your infirmary later.

Of course, Doctor. That's very kind of you.

？！

You think?

...No, you're right. I know that'd be best.

But with all these customers constantly coming in, I haven't been able to find a good time.

...Still, I can't put it off any longer. I'm the manager, so it's my job to make the tough calls here.

Besides, the whole reason you're here is to improve things. Nothing's going to change if we just stick with the status quo.

...Okay, everyone, after these next customers are done, we're going to shut down the attraction for a while! We'll say it's undergoing maintenance!

'Kaaay!

Okay, everyone. Looks like those were the last customers still in line.

(Huff, huff...) I-I don't think I can go on anymore.

Just a little more to go!

Hm? What's wrong? Is there a problem?

？！

Aah! Your Majesty!?

Lady Skadi!?

Oh, no. I am not one of your last customers. These three are.

Since I summoned them to work for me, I felt it was only right to give them some time to relax.

Go on, ladies. Enjoy yourselves.

Thanks for having us.

!

The three new Valkyries!

This unit's name is Rindr. Gareth and I have met before.

Short time no see, Erice. It's me, Rún.

Valkyries usually get around by flying, so I've never seen what things are like under the sea. I'm very excited.

Oh, my name is Geirskögul, but please, call me Irs.

Fujimaru? Interesting name.

I'm Mash Kyrielight. So, what are

What lovely names. I've memorized them already!

Oh, and the rest of you don't need to worry about introducing yourselves! I already know your True Names!

(...Wait. Does this mean they know what kind of Servantpower we're packing?)

...?

Um, is there something on my face, Gareth?

O-oh, no! It's nothing!

(M-maybe I'm just overthinking it!)

Oh, good to meet you, too!

You must be the Master of Chaldea.

？！

So you're the Master of Chaldea, and these are some of Chaldea's Heroic Spirits.

We weren't expecting to run into you here, but now that we have, let me just say this:

We're not here to fight you. We just came here to rest and enjoy ourselves, like Lady Skadi said.

Besides, we don't even want to fight at all if we can help it, right?

...So it would seem. Mash didn't say anything about hostiles approaching, either.

N-no, I didn't. It's true; I'm detecting zero hostile intent in their magical energy signals.

I guess that's true... Even in Chaldea Base, you guys didn't seem hostile at all.

Uh-huh. We're not here to fight anyone.

Hmmm.

？！

... ...

Arctic Summer World is supposed to be a summer paradise. I would never hurt anyone for its sake.

However...

...it is clear that my various managers have their share of issues.

Erice, I have entrusted this area to you, so I assume you know what that means.

Should the new Valkyries find your area is being run poorly...

...then it will be my duty as queen of this Singularity to take appropriate measures. Is that clear?

Wha

S-so, if I can't properly entertain the new Valkyries here...

...something bad is going to happen to me!?

？！

H-hell yeah we can!

My head's REALLY pounding, but...

We can manage one last go!

I really don't want to overwork my staff, but I have to keep my patron happy...

I had no idea being a manager was so hard.

Hey, we're Nemos now, too!

If you need more help than the Nemo Series can manage right now, we can pitch in!

Hehehe. Very well. What avatar I might be using matters not! My scalpel skills remain as sharp as ever.

And it's been a long time since my last laparotomy.

(It's so weird seeing someone who looks like Baker hold a bread knife while talking about cutting people open...)

Okay, everyone. The Nautilus has reached point C-3 and navigating the Alluring Seabed Corridor without issue.

(Cough, cough)

Are you all right?

O-oh, yes, I'm fine. No laryngeal damage resulting from shouting these announcements all day. Not here. Nope.

A-are you sure? Does that mean you have not been getting sufficient breakti

(Here. It's a cough drop made with special medicinal herbs.)

(Thank you. That helped a little.)

...Not at all. I'm totally fine.

I see. Good to hear.

Setting that aside, I really must say, the ocean floor is astonishingly beautiful, even via transmission.

There is not a single thing here that does not belong. Impressive...

Yeah, it reminds me of the massive fjords we had in Scandinavia. Very pretty.

Although...

...as theme park attractions go, it does feel a little one-note...

N-no it's not. Look! Hard to starboard!

See!? Pretty cool, right!?

Ooh! A castle!

An underwater castle! That's amazing!

I bet there's a thrilling, chilling adventure awaiting us inside!

Oh, but I guess we can't go in the water here, huh?

Um, so, will there be some other kind of event that we get to participate in more directly!?

(Now what do we do!?)

O-of course there is! Hard to pooort!

This is the Dwelling of the Giant Octopus.

What could the mysterious monsters about to attack the Nautilus possibly be!?

I mean, they're octopuses, right? You already said as much. It's in the name.

I'm not so sure about that.

Ooh, here they come!

All right. I guess we have to do this then.

Hey, Master of Chaldea? You don't mind if we handle this, right?

Initiating simultaneous combat routine. Synchronizing sensory input... Mapping vicinity...

...Rapid combat maneuvers, prepped and ready.

Initiate battle!

...And done.

Okay, that was pretty fun!

It certainly seemed so. Even from such a distance, I could see you were enjoying yourselves.

When I first saw the sales numbers for this area, I was concerned...

...but if this is any indication of the attractions' quality, I am sure the numbers will reflect that soon. Keep up the good work.

Oh, but don't push yourselves too hard either, okay? If you need more magical energy, just ask.

All right, goodbye.

... ...

...Okay, you heard Lady Skadi.

We'll forget what we saw this time, but make sure you improve your working environment.

The staff should enjoy a fun attraction like this every bit as much as the customers.

That's all from us! Until next time.

Huh?

Wait. Is that it, Irs? Aren't we going to cook and eat all the octopuses we just fought?

Come on, Rindr. Let's go.

Huh? Hey! What about the octopuuus!?

Phew. Thank goodness we made it through that...

I guess we're done helping with those avatars.

I'm glad we got a bit of a break from Skadi and the Valkyries...

...but this still doesn't solve the fundamental problem.

Even with the improved Argo pulling more weight, two attractions alone just won't cut it.

And this one is being run so tightly that it could all fall apart at any moOh?

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？！

Ah... Ah...

I'm... What's...hap

Oh. Oh my. This is very bad.

Bread... Must...bake...bread...

Huh?

？！

Khh. I'm too late...

We really overdid it this time. The partitions differentiating the Series are temporarily scrambled...

？！

O-oh man, oh man... I-it's okay, guys! You can all take a break! Please take a break!

But, we have to work... Downtime like this is...the perfect time for preventative maintenance...

It's our job...to keep the sub running...

It's fine! Really!

I mean, it's great that this attraction brings in so many customers...

...but it's not worth you guys sacrificing what makes you, you.

I went about this all wrong! I can see that now!

I was so focused on making money and being popular that I didn't stop to think about the right, sustainable way to do things.

This is my fault...

Hmph. Just recognizing the problem puts you well ahead of most managers.

Most of them work their employees half to death without even noticing the damage they're doing.

But it's not too late. You can still turn things around.

You genuinely want to make things better...and you have a doctor here who can help.

You mean...you can cure this?

Of course I can.

Those avatars proved exceptionally useful. Thanks to them, I've already all but completed a detailed examination.

It enabled me to craft restorative medicine specifically tuned for the Nemo Series. Here.

Isn't it a little big!?

I didn't have the time to make it more compact. Medicine will advance eventually, but for now, you'll just have to deal with this.

I, um... I don't think I'll be able to stop my body from trying to defend itself against something like that.

...Even if you were to order me not to resist, Master.

Hold it. Get back here. This shot will fix everything. Guaranteed.

...It may sting a bit, though.

"Sting"!? How about "impale!"

No, thank you. I'll be fine. A good meal's all I need to get back to my old self!

NO! Ahem, no. Take it from me. You don't want to go anywhere near the volcano parfait, or anything else in the food court!

...I never said I was going to get the parfait.

I'm sorry, Nemo, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to help you and the others...even if I have to use force.

I'll help you, Asclepius. No, on second thought, let me give him the shot. It's my duty as manager.

Very well.

All right...let the treatment begin!

Nnn.

There. The medicine has been administered to all our patients. They should make a full recovery after some sleep.

(It sounded so gruesome while it was happening!)

(But, it should be okay, right? I mean, he IS a doctor, right?)

(I...think it should...)

Phew. So while I let the Nemos rest up...

...what should I do?

I think I can get my numbers in the black if I can keep the Argo and Nautilus attractions running smoothly...

...but I can't do that like I have been, especially with the Nautilus. I've been putting way too much on them...

Well, that's easy. Just run things differently.

？！

Of course I did.

The whole reason you kept the entire crew of the Nautilus in the core of the attraction...

...was so that you could project their avatars onto the participants, right?

Uh-huh, and they had to be as close as possible for the illusion to work.

Right, so all you have to do is make some changes to that system.

Fortunately, I'm pretty good with illusions. Just give me a bit of time and I'll have things running perfectly!

Let's see... Yeah, there we go. I should be able to rearrange things a little...

...so that you only need one of the Nemo Series there at a time.

That'll let the others rotate in and out for breaks so they can stay rested.

Th-that would be amazing! Thank you!

Don't worry about it. If we can't make these sales quotas...

...the Chaldeans (plus myself) won't be able to reach the next area!

Suffice it to say, improving your financial situation is part of your treatment plan. You therefore have no right to refuse.

So simply accept your prescription, follow its instructions to the letter, and wait with quiet gratitude for your symptoms to improve.

Take care.

Okay, my two main attractions are going well...

...and I decided to take your advice about the others and the food court, too.

I'm still keeping the super spicy menu, but I've decided to add some other options as well.

I think this should improve things a whole lot.

？！

...

So what are you guys going to do now?

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Right. Then I believe we'll report to the director and set out for the next area.

Well hey, if it's not too much trouble...

...could I go with you?

？！

I see now how far I have to go before I can call myself a good manager.

So I'd like to take a look at the other areas and see what I can learn from them.

Plus, now that I have natural-born leaders like Jason and Nemo helping out...

...I think I can rely on them to keep things running while I'm away.

Hehe. Sounds like you're in the same boat as me then!

Sounds good to me! Like they say, the more the merrier!

？！