Section 2: Dancing Dragon Castle

Oh, there you are. Finally up, sleepyhead?

Master.

How are you feeling? Are you completely awake yet? If you sense anything's wrong, tell us.

？！

You're not gonna believe this, Chan-mas! No cap! We're in the mythical, famed...

...Dragon Castle!

...'s dungeon!!!

Not the real one, mind. People would have known long ago if the Dragon Castle was at the bottom of Nagasaki Bay, so this one was most probably created by means of the Holy Grail.

I'm sorry, Master. We should never have let the enemy capture you, but we clearly failed.

That turtle monster... I don't know how, but it generated some kind of...interference that allowed it to neutralize us.

It will be a difficult opponent. What's more, we'll be at an even greater disadvantage, having to fight it at sea.

We will have to develop some kind of countermeasure against that strange interference it used against us...

No wonder a minute Singularity formed here. No foreign ships could possibly come or go with a creature like that around.

That alone will suffice to erase all the trade which should have happened here, leaving Japan a truly isolated nation.

Those Dutch who were staying here must have had no idea they'd have to open stores on Dejima because they couldn't go home.

Exactly! It's all that turtle's fault!

Some of our customers are local fishers, and they were talking about how they didn't know what they were going to do now that they can't go out to sea!

Besides, that turtle's gonna scare all the fish off anyway. I wonder what it ate to get so big...

？！

That's what WE want to know!

I guess they must've mistook you for friends of ours. Kinda understandable.

Everything happens for a reason, ya know? It is what it is.

Aaanywho, you're not from this time, right? You should stick with us. That's prolly your best bet.

Hey, wait. How'd you even end up here selling dumplings?

You know, I'm not sure, either.

Just the other day, we were still going to school and working part-time like normal...I think.

The next thing we knew, we were on Dejima. I thought we must've

... ...

Uh, I mean... I have no idea whatsoever.

Master, Nagiko, a word?

What do you two think?

About what?

You trying to call dibs or something?

This really the time for that kinda thing? We're not in middle school anymore, you know.

？！

I am surrounded by idiots.

Can you not tell? These girls are from the modern era, but there is no more modern era.

It should go without saying that some force can't possibly have transported them against their will, not when their original time period no longer exists.

So then, what do you think those could girls could be?

？！

That's the obvious answer.

What? No way. We totes would've noticed. Plus, they don't seem like the Holy Grail's given them any knowledge...

...aaand I'm not feeling any magical energy from them. They're normies, hundred percent.

Well, you're not wrong there.

This could well be a trap of some kind. I think we should remain wary of them.

A trap, huh...

Teehee.

You think so? You REALLY think so?

I-I'm only saying it's possible... What do you think, Master?

？！

How can you be so sure?

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？！

...I see. They're from a peaceful nation, just like you, where people don't feel the need to take from others.

You're right. You would be quite familiar with that sense.

All right, that's fine for now. An unusual encounter in a Singularity is par for the course.

So, for the time being, let's keep our focus on getting out of here.

Welcome back! Are you all done talking?

Yep! Donezo! Sorry for making you wait.

It wasn't anything special. Just some boring grown-up talk.

Grown-up? You don't look that much older than us.

You still haven't told us who you guys even

Ugh, so gross! There's no good reason to be whispering like that!

You were totally just talking about who's gonna hit on who like you're still in middle school, weren't you!?

You suck! BOYS suck!

N-no! I promise you, we weren't talking about anything like that!

Wait.

Who just said that?

Hey, yeah. We heard that voice back with those sharks, too.

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!

Y'know, I thought it was kinda weird a cute girl had such a funky voice...

I-I, um... You see...

Under the circumstances, the best we can do is share what information we have. Whoever you are, would you show yourself?

Unless...there's a reason you can't?

... ...

Heh. Heh heh heh...

Oh well, guess the cat's outta the bag now! Yaaah!

？！

It's moving. And...flying?

Hehehehe...

I thought I could fool you by perfectly mimicking her voice. Guess I was wrong!

Now that you know my secret, I've got no choice but to blow myself u

That was you copying her voice?

You weren't fooling anybody. At all.

In fact, you surprised me more than anyone.

There's honest and then there's mean! Besides, it's thanks to me that you got out of all that heavy labor!

Huh!? You're the whole reason we're in this mess to begin with!

... ...

Um... I'm sorry to interrupt, but...is that a Mystic Code of some sort?

The kind that can think and talk on its own, and maybe change into weapons or something?

Oh, that's Mr. Smartphone!

？！

Um... I don't know what to say except that, when we woke up in this time period, he was already there.

I was only hiding him because he does nothing but cause trouble, as you can see.

I never thought I'd see a second one...

Huh? You mean there's another one of these things out there?

It's entirely possible there may be many such things that we just don't know about.

Hey, don't lump me in with the likes of that dumbphone!

This is the age of the smartphone! At last, my time has come!

Now do you understand? Then show me the respect I deserve, Galapagos Head! Freaky Broccoli Girl! Green Gorilla Lady!! Let's see, what else can I call you...

SHADDUUUUUUP!!!

Aaaaaaah! My liquid crystaaaaaal!!!

O-okay, that's enough of that. I think I get the idea, so could we just leave it there?

Wh-what the...!? A flying smartphone? And you just punched its backlights out!?

？！

Um... I'm sorry. Those two are always getting into fights like that.

Seriously, who ARE these people?

...So you're called "Master" too, huh.

？！

That's how we addressed the manager of the café we used to work at. It's actually a pretty common title for café and bar owners in Japan.

Hehe. Our Master always wore sunglasses, even at night. He acted the bad boy, but he's actually pretty cute for a middle-aged guy.

I can't help but think of him whenever I hear "Master," so...I think I'll call you "Manager" instead.

Good idea! It's a pleasure to formally meet you, Manager!

？！

Oh, come to think of it, we still haven't properly introduced ourselves, have we?

I'm Hibino Hibiki! I'm in class 1-4 at Kagamisaki High School!

My favorite hobby is, um...baking, I guess!

I'm Katsuragi Chikagi. I'm in the same class as Hibiki. I like eating baked goods.

And this is Smartphone.

MISTER Smartphone! Mister! Don't forget that part, Little Miss Green to the Gills!

What's that even supposed to mean!?

So, Hibikichi, Chikachi, and Phoney. Nice to meet y'all!

All my friends call me Nagiko. You should too!

And this is

...Waver. Waver Velvet.

I don't expect we'll be here too long, but I hope I can count on your cooperation while we are.

Teeheehee.

Same to you, Waver, Manager, Nagiko! It's so nice to meet all of you!

I hope we're not making a mistake here...

Right. That takes care of introductions. Now, to business.

How are we going to escape this prison?

I know!

First, we smash right through the cell door in a daring prison break. Then we set a time bomb and walk away from the explosion like badasses.

We lose the enemy and get home alive all in one fell swoop.

That sounds...awesome!

Okay...but how do we actually go about doing that?

Hehe. What do you think of my plan, Sir Tactician?

First, we don't have any bombs, time or otherwise. Second, they've dragged us to the bottom of the ocean.

We can't just venture out into the crushing depths with no plan. We might survive it, but Master and the others won't.

Oh. Right. Yeah, I guess we gotta do a thing about all that underwater stuff first.

I remember they put us on that giant turtle's back when they brought us here... How did they keep Chan-mas from drowning?

？！

Orb? ...Ah, you mean the jewel that masked Servant was holding.

Hmm... I wonder if that was the Tide-Ebbing Pearl.

Tide-Ebbing?

Hey, guys, shh. Someone's coming this way.

What're you whispering about in here, croc?

Anyway, you're all free to go now, croc. Go on, get out of here, croc!

Hey, quit rushing us! You're the ones who tossed us in here to start!

In fact, I don't even wanna leave anymore! You know what, I'm just gonna stay! Forever! How do you like that!?

Are you out of your mind!?

Damn, really, croc?

Now what do I do, croc? If I don't get you out of here, I'm gonna be the one in hot water, croc...

Could you please just come to the dining room, croc? The feast is all ready to go, croc...

Feast?

Wh-whoa!

Wooow, this is amazing! So many shiny, sparkly sweets!

This feels like something straight out of Dragon Castle from the tale of Urashima Tarou, doesn't it, Manager!?

？！

That means...

...next up should be the dancing sea bream and flounder!

Ta-daaa!

Nope. Just more sharks...

Huh. Sharks can dance. Who knew...

They're kind of cute, aren't they?

Are you blind? I'm obviously WAY cuter.

You shush. The last thing I need is you making our lives complicated again.

Croc croc croooc!

Croc croc croooc!

Ahhh...

This is the first thing I've had other than dumplings since we got here. Thank goodness there's real food here, like curry and pasta!

C'mon, Chikachi, don't cry. Have a whole-ass cake to cheer yourself up!

I don't think I can eat all thaYou know what, gimme.

I can't wait to see what the scale has to say about this tomorrow!

... ...

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Oh, yes. It's just...

I can't tell what our host is thinking, and I don't like it.

If I could just light up a cigarette now, that'd help me think, but...

...Damn, look at all this extravagance.

I wondered the same thing in Dejima... Where in the world are they getting the ingredients for all this food?

Croc?

We got those from the ships that came from across the sea, croc. They were full to bursting with food, croc.

This world's all about give and take, right, croc?

That's not giving and taking! That's pillaging!

No, it is not.

The waters of Nagasaki belong to us. Those who would enter without permission must pay an appropriate price.

For that...

...is the rule of Dragon Castle.

Ki.

Ki.

Kiyohimeee!!!

Huh? You know this girl?

She's so pretty.

Teehee.

I'm so glad you're finally here...MASTER♡

... ...

Well?

Is that what you expected me to say!?

Huh?

I am Otohime Kiyohime, the lord of Dragon Castle. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Wait, which is it? Otohime or Kiyohime? It can't be both; that sounds like a comedy duo.

It makes sense that Otohime would be the lord of Dragon Castle...but that Spirit Origin quite clearly belongs to Kiyohime.

Does that mean you're a compound Servantan amalgamation of Otohime the Phantom Spirit and Kiyohime the Heroic Spirit?

Yes, that's right.

I am the same Otohime from the tale of Urashima Tarou, who exists only in a fairy tale.

Lady Kiyohime has my deepest apologies for making use of her Spirit Origin as I have...

...but I'm afraid there was no other way for me to take physical form in this reality.

Man, this is weird. You look exactly like Kiyo-yo, but you act NOTHING like her.

When it comes to compound Servants, it's common for one personality to dominate.

In this case, it seems to be Otohime's.

That being said...

Pardon!?

Fortunately, our souls could not be more compatible!

Just look at how perfectly this Spirit Origin came out! It fits like a glove!

Um...

Teehee, what do you think? Did I remind you of Lady Kiyohime?

Oh, speaking of which, it would make me very happy if you were to call me by a nickname as well, like "Oto-to"♡

Hey, uh...

...how sure are we that Kiyo-yo isn't actually the one in charge there?

I-I don't think I can say...

It's possible she was always like this to begin with...

Huh? You guys know this lady? And, she's always like...this?

She's like a runaway train in human form...

Now, you there.

You must be Lord Anchin of Chaldea, yes?

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Hehe, I knew it. I could tell right away.

It seems Lady Kiyohime and I really do have a lot in common...

？！

Teehee. Please, relax. I don't mean any of you any harm right now.

How about we just forget what happened on the surface, and you enjoy yourselves here in Dragon Castle?

Hey, Oto-to?

Ooh, you used my nickname! Yes!?

Appreciate the warm welcome. Super cool of you. But you must have had a reason for abducting us, right?

This isn't, like, one of those organ theft dealies where you cut out our liver while we're still alive to cure some disease or something, is it?

Oh my, what a strange thing to say.

You came all this way to try and interfere with my plans, right?

Well, it would just make my life easier if you stayed here and kept to yourselves.

Your plans, huh.

Then, closing off Nagasaki Bay and renovating Dejima is only a means to an end?

... ...

You know, I've been thinking this for a long time, but...the bottom of the sea is boring, right?

Nothing for kilometers but rocks and seaweed.

Bet!

The Holy Grail taught me all sorts of things.

Now that I've been fortunate enough to materialize, I want to experience life in a world with real sunlight.

And Dejima has a crucial part to play in making that happen.

？！

Hehe, that's right. I'm going to turn Dejima...

...into the hip gourmet tourist destination of my dreams!

It'll attract all the coolest young people from far and wide!

That is...not where I thought this was going...

First I'll spread Dragon Castle's hottest trends across Nagasaki, then all of Kyushu, and eventually...

...my sweets will rule the world!

That's terrible city planning!

Is that so wrong? Sweets are so yummy, after all.

I've been completely hooked ever since I discovered them...

Oh yes, I know what you mean! There's just something blissful about biting into a delicious confectionery!

May I ask if you made all this food yourself, Oto-to?

Huh?

Hm?

Oh, yes, well, I didn't exactly make it myself so much as I ordered my crocs to...

...but since they're essentially an extension of my own hands, you could say it's still handmade.

So arrogant!

Wait, wait. Hold on.

Firstly, you owe the people of Nagasaki an apology. This wasn't worth creating a Singularity over.

Secondly, regional gourmet specialties are meant to arise naturally from local culture! You can't just...force it!

Why do you care? Doesn't seem like such a big deal.

Well, it is! I haven't traveled around the world sampling so many varieties of local cuisine for nothing!

Erm... Not to suggest that was the reason for my traveling. Ahem. At any rate...

Oh my.

You really should let go of old-fashioned, outdated, obsolete ways of thinking like that.

Just look at all the people who are already enthralled with my Dragon Island, and all the amazing new flavors they've tasted.

Yes, this is just the beginning...

...of my Otohime-brand products becoming the new standard for the rest of the world!

She's using all her knowledge of the future from the Holy Grail to just...RUN the whole Edo period!!!

She's strong... Too strong!

？！

Hehe, why indeed.

Perhaps...I've just grown tired of my life down here.

A life spent endlessly waiting for someone who will never return...

Perhaps I just got tired of sitting around feeling sad and lonely.

Oto-to...

This person you were waiting for... Was it

I don't even remember anymore. I'm sure he was nobody special, though.

That's all in the past now, and I'm through looking back on the past.

By the way...

...I still haven't asked your name, Lord Anchin of Chaldea.

？！

Hey, what's wrong? Why're you shaking like a chihuahua!?

Lord Fujimaru... I see...

You know, from the moment I first laid eyes on you...

...I knew there was something about you that reminded me of Lord Tarou...

Hmm. Your ears, maybe?

？！

Hehe... Hehehe...

How about this? If you agree to stay here at Dragon Castle...

...I'll give up my assault on the surface♡

I must advise against that, my lady.

(It's that Servant!)

Stay out of this, Sebastian. I'm not looking for your advice.

... ...

(Sebastian! I never would've guessed!)

Well, Lord Fujimaru? What do you say?

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Oh? Teehee, why, that's obvious, of course.

I'll do this:

Croc soldiers, assemble!!!

Crooooooc!!!

Aaah! Where'd they all come from!?

Th-they've got us surrounded...

But...they're so cute I actually find them kind of soothing!

Are you NUTS!? This isn't the time!

You know...

Now that I think about it...I should never have let him go.

I should have kept him here no matter what, even if I had to cry my eyes out or cling to him with all my might.

I never want to go through anything like that ever again.

And that's why I won't be repeating my mistake with you...honey♡

C-crooooooc!?

Dammit, how many of these things are there!? No matter how many we defeat, they just keep coming!

They're kinda cute, so I feel a little bad about hitting them! But they're also all prickly!!!

Ow! Hey, who just kicked me!?

Dammit, I can't take any more of this!

What do you plan to do with them, my lady?

I'm going to give Lord Fujimaru a thorough education.

Teehee, I want him to adjust to life in this castle as quickly as possible, after all♡

As for the Servants...I think I'll put them to work in the flour mill.

...As you wish.

Oh man, what're we gonna do? I don't wanna have to work in some weird flour mill!

All right...I guess I have no choice!

!!!

Her magical energy just skyrocketed... What's going on!?

Hiii...

Yaaaaaaaaahhh!!!

What the crooooooc!?

？！

Never mind me.

Just look for a way to turn this situation around.

I'm counting on you, Manager.

C-croc!? What is she, croc!?

Everyone, get her, croc!

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？！

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A door... That's it!

Chika!

What is it!? This really isn't the time for

Aah! Why did you transform!?

Scold me later.

Right now, I need you to open that door. Please.

Door? Wait. You want me to do...that!? Out of nowhere!?

Oh for...

Fine! Just don't blame me if I mess up!

It opened!

Everyone, run for that door!

!!!

Th-they're gone, croc.

There's nothing in this room, croc...

Where did they go, croc?

How odd. They seem to have vanished like so much smoke.

Either they used a technique we don't know about, or...

Impossible. Nobody can leave the Dragon Castle without the Tide-Ebbing Pearl!

What in the world just happened?

Ow, ow, ow, ow... I-I don't know what just happened, but at least we made it out of there.

Wh-what in the world? What is going on?

？！

Oh man. So tired. Night night...

Dammit... I'm never doing that again, you hear?

H-hey! Hang on! At least tell us what's going on before you conk out!

Doctor? Did you hear that huge thud too

Oh.

If it isn't the people we met on Dejima. What are you doing here?

Oh hey, it's you again! Pardon the intrusion!

Huh? Is this your house?

What is it, Otakusan!? I just heard a loud noi

Waaas zum Teufel!?

How did you people get in here!? Have you come to rob us!?

N-no, we're not! I promise, this is nothing like

Ah, hang the excuses! If you wish to explain yourselves...

...do so with your fists!

Goo-ga! (Air jabbing)

Oh, bollocks, would you please just LISTEN!?