Act 2: Karma Gathers in the Dazzling Night

That should get them off our backs for a while.

It won't last long, but it should at least give us enough time to regroup.

Thanks for your help. I wouldn't have made it out of there without it.

？！

I'm Iori. Miyamoto Iori.

I usually get by working security jobs as a bodyguard.

...Don't tell me you've heard of me, too?

My master I could understand, but I'm just a down-on-his-luck ronin.

Why have you been looking into me? Does it have something to do with this Waxing Moon Ritual thing?

...

..."She"?

... ...

...Hmm. Well, I won't pry too much into it.

At any rate, it sounds as though you've met my master before?

？！

Miyamoto Iori. A master swordfighter who's best known as Miyamoto Musashi's adopted child.

I think the Miyamoto Musashi we know is pretty...different from the one you do, though.

...!

Are you...sending an image of yourself from somewhere else?

Wow, you figured that out right away. I'm impressed.

I noticed you were using magecraft earlier, too. Are you familiar with these kinds of spells then?

No. I'm definitely no mage. That spell was just something I slapped together.

But I have seen Mystic Codes like this before. At least, I think I have.

If I did, I can't remember where or how, though...

We're part of a group called Chaldea. Think of us as a kind of mage sect.

And this is Fujimaru. He is there to investigate the strange occurrences in Edo.

Would you be willing to share what you know with us? We'll do the same, of course.

All right. That said, I still have very little idea what's going on here, myself.

...A Holy Grail War, huh.

That's right. A Holy Grail War is when seven Masters and seven Servants fight each other for an omnipotent wish granter known as the Holy Grail.

It's very likely that's what Yui Shousetsu meant when she spoke of this Waxing Moon Ritual.

Assuming it is, then the Waxing Moon itself is almost certainly a Holy Grail, and therefore the source of the anomalies taking place here.

There's definitely something strange about Edo tonight. There doesn't seem to be a single other person around.

And then there are those monsters wandering around the town like they own the place...

If this Waxing Moon thing is responsible, then I have to do something about it.

You people sound like you have the right idea, getting rid of the Waxing Moon and fixing this anomaly.

I may not be of much use, but I'd like to help.

That would be great! Thank you, Iori!

Having said that, I don't know what I'll be able to do against one of the Heian period's greatest heroes.

I think you'll be able to do plenty!

I understand restraint to be one of the samurai's greatest virtues, but modesty taken too far just becomes insulting.

Your skill with a sword is enough to keep you alive in a fight with another Servant, and you even have some rudimentary magecraft too.

It's no wonder Miyamoto Musashi saw fit to make you her disciple!

You're giving me way too much credit. But I'll do my best not to disappoint.

So, how do we do this?

Seems like the only lead we have on this Waxing Moon is Shousetsu and this Ritual.

Good question. First, for Yui Shousetsu, we

... ...!

？！

...Oh cra... gecraft......nterferenc

Now that I know you can converse with people beyond this world, blocking such a thing is trivial.

Shousetsu!

You were careless, mage of Chaldea.

...We're surrounded.

I see you have chosen to fight beside Lord Iori. This, too, is the way of war.

It is just as Rider said. You are clearly a capable Master.

And so I shall use everything at my disposal to fight you!

My liege, would you be so kind as to bestow your magical energy upon me?

Of course. I will give you a direct connection through a leyline to the magical energy stored in the nearby Spirit Font.

Its power is yours to use as you wish.

Hehe... Hahaha!

？！

...

Dammit! Her sword ki's even stronger than it was before!

Chaldea? Niten Ichiryu? They do not frighten me.

When I am through with you, you will be nothing more than a memory!

Gaah!

Don't worry! I made sure she didn't hit anything vital!

But that aside...she's still got me beat in every way!

Mage of Chaldea.

You are undoubtedly a strong and seasoned veteran, but it seems you know nothing of this Ritual's basic workings.

？！

Surely you haven't forgotten, Lord Iori?

The Waxing Moon Ritual is also a turf war, where participants fight for control of Spirit Fonts by connecting to the leylines that flow throughout Edo.

I underwent this Ritual many times over before either of you even arrived...

...which means I have far more magical energy at my disposal than both of you combined.

This battle is over. I've won.

Well done, my liege.

？！

...

...Ahh.

？！

...My life may not be worth all that much...

...but even so...I can't...die yet... I won't!

You are just so...

...!

...weak.

It's true. Iori IS weak.

Ghh!?

Huh!?

What the...?

(That swordplay was so pure and clear, it practically embodied water itself. Who is that...?)

...So, you've come.

I knew it.

I knew you were Miyamoto Iori's Servant!

Let me introduce myself. I am Saber, a Servant.

I will cut down anything I must to stop the Waxing Moon's disaster, be they demon or god!

...Saber?

(Why does that swordplay seem so familiar...?)

... ...

Huh?

... ...(Snub)

(What was that all about?)

...And you must be the Master of Chaldea.

Hmm. As I just said, it seems I am Saber once again.

？！

There's no time to lose. We're going to have to cut directly through the enemy forces!

You're not going anywhere!

Then we'll just have to fight our way through! You two, try to keep up!

That's the last of them! Come on!

What is your name, Master of Chaldea?

？！

I'm Iori. Miyamoto Iori.

I wasn't asking you, Iori.

...

Saber, right? Tell me more abou

We're falling back to your row house. I'm sure you set up a magecraft workshop there.

That place is easier to defend than it appears. We should be able to fight on more even ground there.

You know about the row house? And the magecraft workshop?

Besides, the Waxing Moon Ritual is a war between mages, so we're going to need Gramps Red's help, right?

You know about him, too?

What's with you, Iori? You've been acting weird ever since I showed up.

Hehe. You're in for quite a shock when you meet him.

...I guess you could say that.

？！

Whoa!

Ha!

Guess we should save the chitchat for later.

The row house is this way. Follow me.

You think?

Well, Edo is a big city.

You get squabbles like this between ruffians all the damn time around here anyway.

Now we've got monsters instead of ruffians.

This IS war.

I think you're exaggerating a little.

This is no worse than the kind of scraps ruffians get into every day around here.

Hmph.

？！

？！

...Oh, now I see.

You really are weak, Master of Chaldea.

Don't be too hard on him, Saber.

My read is, he's from a much more peaceful time.

He probably grew up never wanting for anything, let alone having to deal with war and bloodshed every day.

And in spite of that, he still fights like the heroes of old. It's impressive.

I didn't ask for your opinion.

...

The row house is just up ahead. We're almost there.

？！

...Saber.

Yeah. I sense them.

...You sure are quick.

Your speed is something else, Rider.

...Hm? Rider?

There's something about this Edo that's making it harder to sense the other Servants, but this goes beyond that.

Are you one of those Extra classes now? Is that it?

This world is twisted beyond recognition. The shape of one's vessel matters little.

Especially when I only need it until I can kill, demolish, and righteously destroy everything that exists.

...You never change, do you?

Yui! What were you thinking!?

How could you form another contract with Rider when you know you can't control her!?

What are you talking about?

Rider swore she would devote herself body and soul to fulfilling my wish.

Indeed, we share the same wish: to put right everything about this twisted world of humans.

Khh...!

Saber!

Yes, yes! Exactly!

We have but one wish! To take this twisted world of humans, and righteously destroy everything about it!

...

It's begun, Master.

Don't call me "Master."

I can't believe I have to stare at your stupid face yet again. Makes me sick.

...

Oh well. I already knew this was hell.

...So we're going to burn it all to the ground.

Yes. Let's get started.

...!?

(Did she just slow down?)

Now's our chance!

Khh...!

What's the meaning of this, Rider!?

No... It can't be!

It seems my connection to the leyline has been severed.

What!? Does this mean there's another Master here!?

Another kind of monster, huh?

These don't seem to be working for Yui.

What happened to you? You're usually more on top of things.

Or are you so obsessed with Miyamoto Iori that you can't see what's happening around you?

Hah, what a joke. Deep down, you really are just another woman.

Isn't that right, Yui Shousetsu!?

Chiemon!

Chiemon?

Both of you, be careful! If he's here, Lancer can't be far behind!

Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.

Ghh! Lancer!

Get down here, you insect!

...

？！

So you know her True Name. You must be the mage from this Chaldea place.

But what do you mean by "Alter"?

...Alter.

I see. So even a version of me like that can exist at Chaldea.

But that has nothing to do with me as I am now.

？！

Good point. Who cares?

If he gets in the way, we'll just burn him alive. More importantly...

Miyamoto Iori! Yui Shousetsu! I knew it. You two fell here, too.

What do you mean "fell here"?

This is hell. Since you're here, you must have fallen.

Fitting, isn't it? Exactly where maggots like us who feast on dead flesh belong.

...I will admit that I am pinning my hopes on the Waxing Moon's miracle, despite its evil nature. And if it means granting my wish, I'm willing to get my hands dirty.

But that wish is to create a truly equitable society for all, not to burn everything to the ground as you do.

...

Chiemon, was it? Sounds like you're after the Waxing Moon too.

But the Waxing Moon only brings disaster, and twists our world into something inhuman. I can't let that happen.

So if you mean to use it, I'm going to have to stop you in order to keep this world peaceful.

Iori...

You're still spouting flowery drivel like that, Miyamoto Iori!?

...This was unexpected, but no matter. If anything, this is a welcome development.

Now that several Masters wishing for miracles have come together, the Waxing Moon Ritual can finally truly begin!

...

Miyamoto Iori! Chiemon! Mage of Chaldea!

As fellow Masters, each with your own wish, you are all worthy opponents!

What're you getting so worked up about?

...Ah, may as well enjoy it while you can.

We're deep in the bowels of hell now. None of us are ever getting out!

All things...shall be consumed by the flames.

Don't make me laugh!

Here they come!

We need to fight back! Get ready, Iori! You too, Master of Chaldea!

...!

Haaaaaa!

You may have severed my leyline, but you haven't snuffed out my lightning!

...!

Damn! You don't care who you hit, do you!?

Haaa!

Lord Iori...!

Miyamoto...Ioriiiiii!

Khh...!

？！

Hahahahaha! Yes! Hell! This is hell!

In fact, now that all us Masters are here together, why don't we let this guy in on the fun, too!?

What are you up to, Chiemon!?

Just a little charm I learned from that bastard Mori Souiken.

Gods! Ancient spirits! Hear my plea, and answer my call!

Ah... Aah... Aaa... AAAaa...AAaaAAAA!

The hell!? That's definitely no ordinary monster!

Curse you... Curse you... Curse yooouuu!

Who do you think it was that kept this country safe? Tokugawa? Koutokui? Wrong, wrong, wrong!

It was us! Japan would be nothing if not for us!

This country is ours!

Oh my, how disgraceful.

I never thought I would see the descendants of the great Lord Seimei fall so far.

What was that? Do you mean that monster is...Tsuchimikado?

The Waxing Moon. With it, I will reclaim the Tsuchimikado clan's honor!

Caster! Where are you, Caster!?

Why do you refuse my call!?

AaaAAAaaaaAAAAaaAAAAA!

？！

Tsuchimikado, you bastard! Always doing whatever you please!

...Let us fall back for now, Rider.

With the leyline connection gone, I would like to avoid any unnecessary exhaustion.

Understood.

I'm getting out of here. Have fun playing with Tsuchimikado.

I look forward to seeing how long you can maintain this good guy facade, Miyamoto Iori.

...

aAAAa... aaaAA... AAAAAAAaaaAAaaA!

!

This is one hell of a souvenir he left for us.

You truly have lost your way, haven't you, Tsuchimikado?

Very well then. I will free you of your misery myself.

Master of Chaldea, please hold Tsuchimikado in place.

？！

Follow my lead, Iori! You can do that, right?

Sure can!

!!!

My blades are reaching him! But...

？！

Hmph. Then we'll just have to end him with one strike.

Easier said than done. Look how big he is. Maybe if we had a cannon or something...

？！

Don't worry, you two.

There are no ordinary people left in Edo, so there's no need to hold back!

Soul imprisoned by the Waxing Moon! Be purified by my sword!

Whoa...

O clear water... A trickle becomes a flow that reaches the sea and covers this star.

Special Technique...

Eight-Current Raging Storm!

A...aa...aaaAAAa!

I... As the Waxing Moon's...rightful owner, I...!

...Ahh.

Forgive me, Takatoshi. I must entrust you...with rebuilding our clan...

...Incredible.

That really was the most amazing technique I've ever seen.

Although...

(That's weird. Seeing that display of swordsmanship made my hollow chest ache.)

(It's as if something I lost is...)

...

(Ah, Iori. You really have forgotten...)

Saber. Are you

Let me ask you one thing, Iori.

Do you desire the Waxing Moon?

Me? The Waxing Moon?

If you do...I'll have to stop you.

If you hold the Waxing Moon in your own hands, you'll...

...

Now I see. It all makes sense. No wonder we were talking past each other.

Hm?

Lord Saber.

I have no idea who you are.

...I see.

I see. That explains it. ...I had a feeling this might be the case.

Iori... You don't remember the Ritual, do you?

The Waxing Moon Ritual took place in Edo once before.

During that Ritual, I was summoned as a Servant...and you were my Master.

Yes, Master of Chaldea.

The Waxing Moon Ritual took place in Edo once before.

During it, Iori was a Master...and I was his Servant.

？！

I knew it.

？！

We fought each other as Masters before. Of course she'd think we were doing the same thing again.

Even though it couldn't actually be further from the truth.

？！

Iori. Show me the back of your hand.

All right.

...You were right. No Command Spells.

Then, that means I was summoned here as a Rogue Servant...

...and you aren't a Master at all.