3: The Alliance Strikes Back (I) 4/4

Th-they actually finished their books!?

Yes! It's all thanks to everyone in the clubs doing their very best.

These are all still test prints, though. We're just on our way to bring the finished data to the printer's now.

So they're submitting their drafts a full day ahead of the deadline... Damn.

But, uh, is she okay? Yeah, her, the one with the thousand-yard stare. She looks like the life's been sucked outta her.

D-don't worry about me... I'm just reeeally sleepy...

But now, I'm finally free from editing multiple clubs' books at once... (Zzz...)

I heard Miss Chloe helped with everything from gathering reference materials to filling in inks to implementing backgrounds on the computer.

So these are the finished drafts? Before you start making copies...

...would it be all right if I took a look at them first?

Of course. And don't worry if you tear one. The source files are all digital.

Go ahead and let us know what you really think. I'll pass your thoughts on to the rest of the club leaders.

Fujimaru! Mash! This book is so much fun!

The serious introduction makes you empathize with the protagonist right off the bat, then the plot twist with her huge jerk rival's attitude pisses you off big time!

But then, you see the rival's past and why she turned out the way she did, and you just kind of can't help but root for them to fight together...

I was kind of worried how this Altria book was going to turn out, but it's fantastic! I never would've guessed a theme like this would get you such a great story!

I'm totally going to go buy this book tomorrow! I hope I can thank the creators for making it in person!

I see. That's right; this is your first ServantFes, isn't it? Well, there are even more books at the convention hall, with all kinds of different stories.

Even Servants who are normally at each other's throats often become comrades in arms there.

Just walking around the hall could easily take up a whole day. Make sure you remember to eat and stay hydrated.

Wow, no kidding! That many different books in one place sounds like heaven! I hope I have enough of my allowance left to buy all the books I want!

？！

Whoa! That's the sound of a high society debutante making her grand appearance if ever I heard it!

Words are a crude and cryptic method of communication. Music is a far more ideal means of exchanging greetings across species.

Thus, whenever one enters a foreign cultural space, it is only right to do so accompanied by beautiful music.

Pretty nice, isn't it? This is how I like to do things. If you're jealous, I suggest you take up an instrument of your own.

Oh man... I don't know if my mind can take hearing such elegant talk from someone with that face.

As Cnoc na Riabh, don't you always lead with your axe at the negotiating table?

...Once again, I have no idea what you're talking about.

Well, no matter. At any rate, it seems you'll have something to exhibit at tomorrow's finale.

So I came to inspect your books to see whether they are appropriate for the new ServantFes.

Now, hand them over. You DID remember to adhere to the code, right?

？！

...Not bad. I guess I should have expected as much from the ServantFes Master's companions.

Very well. I see no issue with the content of these books. You're approved to display and sell them at ServantFes.

Whatever our differences with the alliance may be, as a member of the executive committee, you have our respect for the obvious care and attention that went into these books.

Now I can't wait for tomorrow to come.

I sincerely hope this summer paradise will be a place where all sorts of people can meet and become friends.

Damn, she backed down real quick. Even gave us her approval to exhibit.

Does that mean she's still completely confident she'll win? Man, that pisses me off.

Eh, don't worry. As a representative of an organization with a highfalutin name like "Normalization Committee"...

...she couldn't possibly bar us from competing just 'cause she's worried we'll beat her!

With books this good on our side, nobody can stop us!

Fujimaru! We'll see you at the hall entrance bright and early tomorrow morning!

？！

This...can't be happening...

Wh-what's going on!? Every last booth has the third to last thing any club wants to see...!

？！

Even in my most horrible nightmares, I've never seen something so hellish. If those Normalization Committee bastards think they can get away with thi

What happened here!? Why'd all the clubs cancel their new books!?

I've been so excited to read the new books from these clubs all week!

I'm so mad, I'm about ready to throw my diet out the window! I could eat all the chocolate in Hawaltria right now, and it still wouldn't be enough to satisfy me!

No, wait. Calm down, Yaraändoo. Just play a song! Deep breaths!

？！

I AM calm, dammit! Also, forget you ever heard that!

So you didn't know anything about this disaster either. But...how did it happen, then?

We just received word from the printer! They say they were unable to print any new books due to a lack of paper!

A lack of paper!? Why am I only hearing about this now!?

I was afraid of this. It's finally begun...

？！

Even when the attendees stay out of trouble and a peaceful ServantFes is about to unfold miraculously...

...they'll come along to ruin everything.

The embodiment of evil that lives in the Night Woods. The king of the spirits whose homes were razed to clear the way for more construction.

The god of festivals whose anger grows in proportion to people's joy, leading them to incinerate every person they can.

The Calamity of Flame, a new legend born here on Hawaltria. They are also known as:

"New books have been canceled."

For that is their curse.

New books have been canceled.

Gaaah!

That came from outside! Now what's going on!?

？！

Whoops, I did it again☆ But it just feels so goood to stickerize a hundred defiant Servants at once♡

I knew I was right to wait until the last day of ServantFes. It burns so much better with all these books around♡

Thaaat's it. Keep running, little Servants! Just don't expect me to go easy on you idiots!

The Enshrined Deity Priestess! Does this mean she's one of the three calamities!?

That stupid faerie is back again! Well, I'm through letting her do whatever she wants on my watch!

Fujimaru, Altria! Evacuate the attendees!

As the head of the executive committeeno, as a king, it's my duty to defeat her once and for all!

Master!

？！

Wait. Don't tell me you're gonna try and fight that thing!? Oh, right. This is your first reset!

Well, don't. Anything you do to her'll just

It's the enshrined deity! The enshrined deity came from the woods, just like we thought it would!

It's the guardian god of criminals! The god of the forest is here to curse our peaceful city!

That again? Ugh, can't you idiots say something more entertaining while you run for your lives? I mean, you knew this was going to happen, so it's not like you didn't have time to prepare.

You could've come up with an allegory praising the deity, or a cheer just for his priestess, or something.

Oh well, I guess it's okay. Lucky for you, I just found a new toy to play with.

Are you even stupider than this lot!? I told you, my name's MikoCer!

？！

You!? What are you doing here!? You should be back at the hall with the rest of the clubs!

Don't be stupid! This is obviously no time for that! Now stop trying to fight by yourself and let us join you already!

？！

I see. Well then, I'm glad to have you on my side. Let's see what the Master of Chaldea is capable of on his home turf.

Cait Cú MikoCer! Your days of using the forest spirits to terrorize this community are over!

Today's the day I finally arrest you and rip that stupid disguise off you once and for all!

Ha! Do your worst. There's no way you lot can stop this thing.

And you know, I'm also getting sick of it being called a forest god or a calamity or whatever, so I'm going to set the record straight now.

This guy's name is Burnunnos, and he's the enshrined deity of flame!

Are you KIDDING me!?

Yay, I won! I knew my Burnunnos wouldn't let me down!

All right, time for another reset☆ Ahaha, looks like aaall your hard work was for nothing again. Sucks to be yooou♡

Attention, everyone enjoying Hawaltria. I'm afraid we have some unfortunate news.

As a result of exigent circumstances, ServantFes has been canceled this year.

In accordance with ServantFes Normalization Committee regulations, we will now initiate a reset. We are all responsible for this state of affairs.

We advise ServantFes attendees to reflect on their behavior...

...and hope you all continue to enjoy ServantFes.

？！

Khh!

CnocI mean, Yaraändoo! Is your stomach injured!?

Can you stand!? Come on, get off the ground and get over here!