6: The Alliance Strikes Back (II)

There we go. Good job. You always did respond well to the stick♡

All right, let's see what we've got here...

...Phew.

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Eh, I guess they were okay. Good enough to be references, at least.

Then you'll keep Burnunnos pacified, like you promised?

...Yeah, okay. I did promise, I guess.

Although, there's one thing I don't get.

Why aren't any of your names listed on the credits?

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...Oh. So none of these are actually YOUR books.

Well, all right. I don't like it, but I guess I'll allow it this time.

Huh? Did you specifically want to see a book WE made, Baobhan Sith?

Pfft, no. I was just curious to see what a faerie of Faerie Britain could make, that's all.

Anyway, the enshrined deity won't be going to the city anymore, so ServantFes should end tomorrow.

...But first, I want you to come see this cave under the house. It wouldn't be fair if you didn't.

You can leave when you're done there.

Hm?

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Okay, we're here. See that mural?

According to the spirits of these woods, this mural wasn't made recently.

They said it's been here since before the islands came together to become a Singularity.

The spirits of these woods? You mean, those kangaroos?

Nah, those are just animals that like to roughhouse. The forest spirits are more...primal. To me, they kind of looked like dark dragonflies.

They're why Mother only stuck around long enough to put up the Bounded Field.

(So Morgan's not here... I guess she didn't stay in these woods because she doesn't like insects.)

Anyway, Mother also said this mural was made a long time ago, back when humankind's ancestors just started living here.

Apparently, it shows this island's past, and its future.

None of you have any idea why the enshrined deity wakes up, do you?

He wakes up 'cause he can't take the noise of people's emotions. Their instincts. Their trends. Their baseless rumors.

Those kinds of things anger him and make him want to burn down the city 'cause it's a symbol of civilization.

So...you're saying the enshrined deity isn't attacking ServantFes, but civilization itself...

But, hang on. If this mural and the deity have been around since before this place became a Singularity...

...then Hawaltria'sthat is, Hawaii's civilization would have been destroyed many times over.

But there's no historical record of anything like that ever happening. Something doesn't add up.

...The Dark Faerie King broke the seal on this cave.

They're the one who let the calamity inside this cave loose on the island.

The Dark Faerie King hates ServantFes with a passion.

The deity's just a victim. He doesn't hate anyone, but so many people hate him.

That's just like being a sacrifice.

So I decided that if the enshrined deity was going to be seen as evil, then I was, too.

Baobhan Sith...

Don't sympathize with me. It's creepy. My point is, I'll keep the deity in check for this ServantFes.

That should force whoever's behind this to reveal themselves and try to ruin it.

You said you and Fujimaru are detectives now, right, bumpkin? Then please find the real mastermind.

'Cause if you don't, I've got a bad feeling something even worse is gonna happen.

Attention all club members. We now have thirty minutes until ServantFes opens its doors.

Please return to your own clubs now, and refrain from moving about the hall floor.

Every club member is smiling so happily! It looks like there were no issues with everyone getting their new books printed this time!

Ahh... At long last, our summer is going to begin, right before it ends...

It's so sad that it's all going to wrap up in only one day. But, that's just how festivals are...

Man, now that we're finally at the finale, I kind of don't mind having gone through all those resets!

Me neither. We basically just got more summer vacation out of them, unlike BB's time loop.

Hell, part of me wouldn't mind one more reset just so I could have more of those delicious cocktails at the hotel!

Come now, you two have had plenty of break time. And this Singularity should go away once ServantFes comes to an end.

Our vacation may have only been about two weeks long, but that was still more than enough.

By the way, where's Chloe? I don't see her anywhere.

She basically collapsed like she ran out of batteries as soon as she confirmed all the new books had been delivered on time.

We put her in one of the beds at the hotel, so please don't wake her up. She's extremely exhausted.

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So ServantFes is finally coming to an end, huh.

We still don't have any idea who the culprit could be, but I guess that won't matter once the Singularity disappears.

What do you think, Fujimaru?

Baobhan Sith seemed like a promising suspect at first, but it turned out she was innocent.

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"Emergency. Emergency. A dangerous typhoon has been spotted off the coast."

"The typhoon is headed this way at one-hundred kilometers per hour, with wind bursts reaching up to one-hundred and twenty meters per second."

"We ask that all general attendees and club members leave the hall and return to your hotel rooms for your safety."

Say whaaat!?

Hey! What's the meaning of this!?

I thought you said MikoCer agreed not to interfere this time!

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A second calamity? I'm not sure what you're talking about, but, does that mean

It means we have to do something about it before everything gets reset again! Are you guys ready!?

Leave this to me. Nothing gets this pirate's blood pumping more than a storm at sea! I'll show you exactly why I was known as Blackbeard the pirate king!

Pass. What the hell're we even supposed to do against a typhoon?

We'd need a first-class weather controlling mage to even stand a chance. All we have here are brawlers.

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Damn, this wind is nuts! I love weather like this!

I never saw any this bad even during the pirate golden age! Bring on the muskets and culverins!

Blackbeard just turned into a UFO! Everyone, get down and grab hold of something!

You must be joking! I'm a queen! These knees were never meant to touch the ground!

Oh cut the crap, Blockhead na Riabh! This is no ordinary typhoon! The wind's infused with magical energy!

It's consciously trying to destroy this islandno, the ServantFes site!

And whatever it is, it's even more dangerous than MikoCer's enshrined deity! Now get over here! If you refuse to kneel, then at least take my hand!

Master, we need to get to shelter, too! There's no way we can handle thiMaster?

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Oh come on, you're still not evacuating, even in this? Do you not know danger when you see it?

Or are you just so foolishly brave you've got nerves of actual steel? I guess that would be more your style.

You're a selfless hero, aren't you? I'm guessing you have no idea what your life's even worth anymore.

...(Sigh) Who'd you hear that name from? I swear, I'm gonna kill 'em.

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...Huh? Oberon? What are you doing here?

Have you started calling yourself the Spirit King, too?

Hey, what's the big idea? I was waiting for the perfect moment to reveal my identity, and there you go, ruining it!

Oh well, I guess you couldn't help it. You're a detective now, after all. And detectives just love making accusations no matter what the circumstances, don't you?

You guys know him, too!? Ever thought you should take a closer look at the kind of company you keep!?

I mean, just look at him! His clothes are as black as his heart!

Ouch. That hurts. You know, you and I were alike not too long ago.

I guess there's something to be said for wiping a mind completely clean. Just try not to die of shame when you regain your memories and all the embarrassing things you said come rushing back.

Huh? Did I say that? I'm pretty sure I didn't.

I might lie constantly, but I never spread false information.

Geez, you're even more clueless than Altria. We're not talking about swimsuits right now.

Anyway, I don't know if you're being keen-eyed or overly particular, but I chose this one myself.

I just went into some kind of brand store and picked the first thing that caught my eye.

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Anyway, that's all the chat I have time for. I need to be on my way.

See, thanks to you guys preventing the first calamity...

...the second calamity, Oceanunnos, the enshrined deity of storms, is about to make landfall.

O-Oceanunnos!? There's another enshrined deity!? Doesn't it cheapen them for there to be more than one!?

Well, excuse me for being cheap. I didn't think things were going to reach this point, either.

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

"The typhoon has just made landfall."

"Needless to say, we are canceling ServantFes in the interest of attendee safety."

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

"We hope that you continue to enjoy ServantFes."

Oh, it's regrettable this time, huh? Guess they aren't completely heartless.

Oh well, not that it matters to me. Now everything'll go back to being nice and neat.

It's just too bad this won't be the end of it.

Anyway, you all love wasting your time slaving away for nothing, right? You'll have plenty to enjoy in the next ServantFes now!

H-hey! Get back here! I demand you tell us more about this storm!

No! Cnoc na Riabh, come back! You're gonna get blown away!

This wind is even tearing palm trees out of the ground! Senpai, this way!

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