Section 1: More Shark Sightings in Nagasaki

Aaaaaah!!! There you aaare!

You okay, Chan-mas!? You didn't merge with a fly or an alien or something, did you!?

？！

Ugh, talk about a rough start, huh? Even my head still feels kinda wonky.

Anyway, it looks like you haven't found the professor yet, either?

C'mon, Chan-mas! Let's find him before he finds us!

Then we can sneak up on him and give him a good scare!

？！

There's no need for that. I'm already well aware of the situation.

？！

That's weird. I can hear you, but I can't see you.

Also, you sound different. Is that actually you, Professor Mellocchi?

(Ignoring her) Master, would you try contacting Chaldea for me?

Ah. Yes, that's about what I expected. It may well even be better this way.

... ...

Okay, I'm coming out, but I don't want to hear a word about what you're both about to see. Not. One. Word.

... ...

You've got real fire in your eyes, young man. Also, nice cloak. You got that shit on!

Anyway, you didn't see a professor-lookin' guy around here? Long hair? Stern look? Kinda frowny?

Sorry, but you're looking right at him. It's me, El-Melloi II!

Dammit, did the Rayshift do this? Why'd I have to end up in this form now, of all times?

？！

Don't call me "little."

Fortunately, my Spirit Origin itself is working fine. I can still fight just as well as before, so that won't be a problem.

So, loathe though I am to say it...

...I'll just have to continue about our work here looking the way I do. Do you two have any issues with that?

Nah, I'm good.

Buuut we at least need a group selfie so we neeever forget this! C'mon, Chan-mas! Get in here!

Hey, no photos! Quit crowding me!

... ...

Oh man, did you hear that, Chan-mas? Sounds like our little guy's already in his rebellious phase.

？！

I'm not in a rebellious phase! That's enough of your bit!

Hey, you there.

I ain't seen you people around here before. You from Holland, too?

It's okay, you don't gotta hide it. You been around the block like me, you can tell who the foreigners are right away.

Uh, have you, like, had your eyes checked lately? I am SUPER OBVIOUSLY Japanese. Duh.

？！

Oh, I'm sorry. You must be a geisha then.

But just so you know, you're not gonna find any business around Dejima now. If you want to make money, you'd be better off visiting the Chinese quarter.

Nope. Not a geisha.

Excuse me, I have a question for you.

I can't help but notice there's not been a single person coming or going. It's as though the town is deserted.

Does this Dejima place have anything to do with that?

Good question.

It'll be pretty clear once you see it for yourselves. You'll find Dejima just along the road there.

？！

So you've heard of it before then.

Dejima was an artificial island where trade with foreign nations was officially permitted even while Japan was still in its isolation policy.

The shogunate saw it as a quarantine of sortsa way to keep people, supplies, and religious influence from spreading into the country at large.

However, it was also tightly regulated by the shogunate, so I doubt we'll be able to just walk in...

Bahahahahaha!

Hey, why worry? Let's just storm the gate and see what happens!

One of these days, I'd love to see your parameters in numerical form...especially your Intelligence stat.

Still, you have a point. We won't get anywhere just standing around here.

Hehe. Don't you worry, Professor Mellocchi. We're on the Chaldea crew now, remember?

There's nothing this place could throw at me that'd ever have a HOPE of surprising me now!

... ...

Uh, yeah, I totes knew about this! It IS a minute Singularity, after all!

And look, they were even nice enough to put up a sign. Let's see, what's it say?

"Nagasaki Dragon Island"...

Well that has to be connected to the Holy Grail. If not, I'll eat my cloak.

Oh man, what do we do now!? Think we should go in, Professor Mellocchi?

As if me saying no would stop you.

But yes, we're going in! We won't get anywhere standing around out here!

But remember, we'll be heading into enemy territory. Be ready for anything.

？！

Wait. Both of you, give me your hands.

A-all right... What's this about?

There's a little ritual you gotta do when you go into places like this. First, we all hold hands...

...then, on three, we all jump across the threshold together! Ready!?

Just go inside already!!!

Whoa...

So this is Dejima, huh? It's nothing like they say, is it, Chan-mas?

？！

This is far from the first Singularity in which things have gotten...strange for us.

Still, at least with all these people around, we shouldn't have to worry about suddenly being attacked.

For the time being, we should all stick close together. Don't go wandering off on your own.

Whoooa, new Nagasaki pastries!? I gotta check these bad boys out!

What did I JUST say!?

Welcome, welcome!

Try some of Nagasaki's famous spiral sausage! You too, son! Don't be shy!

We've got Nagasaki's famous chocolate-dipped bananas! You won't want to leave without trying at least one!

？！

I'm surprised to see so many obviously non-Japanese people here as well.

Are they all outsiders who came here to trade?

This kind of thing would have gotten them jailed in the real Nagasaki.

And it's not just them. Locals are coming and going as they please, too.

Just what in the hell is going on here!?

Yeah, this is nuts.

Why would anyone think to stick deep-fried shrimp into Nagasaki's famous soft serve? Speaking of which, these are yours.

Does any part of you understand that we are not here on vacation!?

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Well, obvs, I don't have any local currency ON me.

But while I was staring at the stand, this guy came up and

Hahahaha!

Hello there! I hope you're all enjoying your time here at Dragon Island! Enjoy the soft serve, on me!

Goo-goo.

？！

U-um...

Thank you for the kind gesture, sir. But we can't accept charity from someone we've only just me

Nein, nein, think nothing of it. I love this island here, you see.

Seeing more tourists like yourselves visiting just fills my heart with joy! Take a look over there.

Men, women, old, young, Japanese, Westerners... They're all enjoying themselves.

Is that not a wonderful thing to see?

？！

May I ask you a question, sir?

I thought people like you were here to trade, but instead, I see many non-Japanese residents running shops.

Could you tell us more about this Dejima?

!!!

You...

Hm?

What are you trying to get out of me!? You suspect me of spying!?

Uh... What?

If you intend to make such vile accusations, then let us settle the matter right now, with a duel!

I was not making any accusations! That said, it's interesting that's where your mind went!

Hehehe... I warn you, I'm very strong! Now go on! Choose whatever weapon you like and come at me!

Gagaa! (Air jabbing)

Will you...

KNOCK IT OFF ALREADY!

Autsch!

How many times have I told you to stop challenging people to duels at the drop of a hat!?

What kind of example are you setting for the baby!?

Nnn... I'm sorry. As soon as I heard the word "duel," I just couldn't help myself.

But it was you who said it, not me.

I'm so sorry about this, travelers. I hope the doctor here didn't make too much trouble for you.

Is this your first time in Dejima? I know it may not be quite what you were imagining...

...but now that you've come all this way, I do hope you enjoy your time here.

Ga-goo...

Hmm, y'know, that weird rando did carry himself like a fighter.

He even treated us to some soft serve, so he's gotta be super nice.

？！

Was making inane comments and snacking on fried shrimp the limit of your ability to contribute?

I'm a thinker, not a fighter! Why didn't you step in and help!?

Ahaha...sorry. I actually was gonna step in if it started looking like the duel would really happen.

...You ARE actually Sei Shounagon, right? Because if you're not, I'd appreciate you telling us now rather than later.

Hehehe, good question. I might've gone by that name at some point in the past.

Anyway, it's over now, yeah? So now that we're here, how 'bout we

Um... Excuse me...

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Um... Would you like to buy some dumplings? They're Nagasaki's Dumplings on a Stick.

If you buy one now, I'll even throw in an extra.

Ma... Ma-ma...

Maid!?

I ain't no maid!

Isn't it obvious I'm a waitreI mean, uh, a dumpling vendor?

Anyway, are you gonna buy a dumpling or not? 'Cause if I don't sell any, these things are gonna be our dinner.

？！

Oh... Well, never mind then.

Not having money sucks, doesn't it? I know I'd rather be out sightseeing than working part-time.

Ugh, I miss having AC in my room...

... ...

Master, I think there's something odd about her.

Who're you calling an oddball?

I didn't say that.

But between the maid outfit, your demeanor, and your pining for air-conditioning, you are obviously no local.

You wouldn't happen to be a Ser

Uh, I mean, what time period are you from? Can you tell us when you were born?

T-time period? When I was born? Um, the Heisei

Wait, wait. You guys, too!? You were reborn in the Edo period all isekai-style too!?

Pretty much! Except for the part about being reborn. And isekai.

Hey, Chan-mas, this maid's totes from the modern world, right?

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Ooh, does this mean you know how to get back? Oh, that'd be so great!

Wait right here, 'kay? There's actually someone else who

CROOOOOOC!!!

Shaaaaaark!?

What do you think you're doing, slacking off like that, croc!? Did you meet today's quota yet, croc!?

Ugh. Croc this, croc that. Enough already! I don't have time for your nonsense right now!

What's with the attitude, croc!? Did you forget I'm your boss here, croc!?

Why do you call yourselves "Crocs"!? You're obviously sharks!

You've got no right to work us like slaves just 'cause we had a few dumplings! We can't take it anymore!

C-croooc!?

W-wait! That wasn't me, I promise!

？！

Heeey!

Ugh, are you fighting AGAIN!?

You can't keep doing this, Chika. We owe the boss a lot.

Now, now. Easy there, girl.

What am I? A horse!?

I'm telling you, it wasn't me! He just mouthed off again!

Don't hold me back, Hibiki! It's time I gave this stupid shark a piece of my mind!

Who're you calling a shark, crooooooc!?

Crooooooc!?

Aah! Boss!

Dammit, Chika. I was afraid you were going to do something like this one day, and now you've gone and done it.

I-it's not my fault. I was just defending myself! I can't help that I did it with a record-breaking kick!

Hmm. This commotion is starting to draw a crowd.

I think we should take our leave of this island for now, Master.

All right, Maids No. 1 and 2, come with us if you want to live!

...Huh?

What's all the ruckus here, croc!?

Aah, the boss is dead, croc! They killed him, croc!

What!? No, I didn't!

Those must be the killer's minions, croc! Capture them, croc!

Dammit! It is just one thing after another with this Singularity!

We'll just have to fight our way out of this, Master! That includes you too, Nagiko!

We still don't know what's going on here though, so no going wild and blasting away with your Noble Phantasm at the outset!

You got it, Professor Mello-Mello! Emotional Engine, Full Drive!

WHAT DID I JUST SAY!?

CROOOOOOC!?

H-hey. You didn't kill them, did you?

Heh. Worry not. I used the back of my blade.

Oh, phew! The back of your blade, huh? That's a relief!

Sweet dreams, sharkfaces...

Now, who the hell're you!? You kicked their butts like it was nothing! I think I even saw a laser in there!!!

You freakin' fool! You forgot me already!?

But we only just met today!

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Wahahaha! Who cares!?

Now that the sharks are out cold, we gotta scoot while we can, Professor!

Hang on. Something's not right.

？！

Just a moment ago, we were surrounded by rubberneckers, all watching the fight. But they're all gone.

Did they run because the fight got to be too much for them? Or is there something else they're afraid of?

Aaaaaah! Wh-wh-what is thaaat!?

That roar sounded like

Look out! Something big is headed our way! And I think...it's coming from the sea!?

!!!

A...turtle???

...Wait. Huh?

Weird... Suddenly I'm all sluggish and...gnnn...

Nagiko!?

Khh... What kind of...attack...is this...!?

？！

？！

You must be the Master of Chaldea.

I have come to greet you.

Now, let me show you the way to Dragon Castle...