Section 3: Operation Conquer Otohime

Hrngggh...

Yaaaaaah!!!

Welcome back.

...There, you see?

I can't just open a door to wherever whenever I want.

Besides, it only worked back when we were working at the café.

Good point. It would really suck if you opened the door to the bath only to pop out into the city!

You have some really horrifying thoughts sometimes, you know that?

Hmm, okay, I get it.

So this special door move has got kinda a random element to it. You're not always gonna get the result you want.

And Hibikichi, you came to be because... Uh...

...that cell phone is actually a kind of vampire...

...and said cell phone made some kind of...space toy?

And then, as a kid, when Chikachi took the space toy outside, it somehow turned into...you?

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I'm really sorry. Even I don't understand how it all works.

Yeah, we always just squeaked by in math and physics and stuff.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not relevant here.

Okay, so I'm not neeearly smart enough for this, but basically...the white-haired you is the real you?

Hmm, not exactly. I haven't been able to return to my real self since we got here.

But I can still use just a little bit of my original power...kind of.

Hmm...

Weeeh...

Hey, knock that off.

Her cheeks are droopy enough without you tugging on them.

Hmm. You sure seem like a regular human to me.

What've you got, Prof?

... ...

I think he's frozen.

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Waver?

You should be careful. If you stew on something for too long, you'll never get the crease out of your forehead.

And just whose fault is it that I'm stewing like this in the first place!?

... ...

I'm sorry. You two didn't do anything wrong. I know that.

I am just...compelled to find answers to questions that arise. Something of an occupational hazard, really.

But hey, you love these kinds of puzzles, so I bet you've already got a theory worked out, right, Prof?

I have some ideas, but, I don't think the time is right to share them.

Well, now you just sound like a detective.

Well, I don't mind if these questions stay unanswered. Who doesn't like a little mystery?

The important thing is that you two really saved our butts back there. Thanks again!

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...Ehehe.

Aw, you're too kind, but we really didn't do anything special. Right, Hibiki?

What're you talking about? You didn't do anything at all!

... ...

(I know there are powerful vampires who have been alive for almost a millennium called Greater Dead Apostles...)

(...but could any of them have made a model case of the whole universe? If there are, they must be from a different world.)

(And if we're to believe what she says, that would mean she's)

(...No, never mind that for now.)

(The one thing that is clear is that their abilities don't come from having become Heroic Spirits.)

(So maybe...they're not really Servants after all?)

Oh, hello, everyone. I didn't realize you were already up.

Oh, good morning, Otaki!

Yes, good morning.

Breakfast is all ready, if you'd care to join us.

Hahahaha!

Guten Morgen, everyone! Sorry about suspecting you of being thieves yesterday!

At the time, I had no idea you had only just arrived here without a yen to your name and nowhere to spend the night.

So it must have been fate that brought us together! You are all welcome to stay as long as you like!

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Ga-goo!

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He means it, you know. We run a clinic out of this house, so there have always been plenty of people coming and going.

The only problem is, he insists on challenging everyone to a duel before he'll examine them... I do hope you can forgive him.

He challenges patients? To duels?

Damn. There's rocking, and then there's ROCKING.

Oh yes, for a doctor, he certainly causes me no end of headaches. He used to argue with the magistrate's people all the time, too.

Although, with all...this going on in Nagasaki, it's actually helped calm things down with them, strange as that may seem.

Hey, it's not hard to believe. Between a giant turtle occupying the sea and sharks taking over Dejima...

...I'd bet the magistrate's office has their hands plenty full.

Indeed. I can't help but wonder what's to become of my dear Nagasaki.

If nothing else, I hope Ine can at least grow up happy and healthy here.

Buu.

Don't you worry, Otakusan! I promise you, Ine has a bright future ahead of her!

With us for parents, she will grow up to be the happiest woman in the world!

Babaaa.

Oh, Doctor... Teehee. What a doting father you've become!

Hahahaha, ow! That really hurts, Otakusan!

... ...

Man...

Now it really does feel like we're in the Edo period. Who would've thought we'd run into people we read about in our history textbooks?

Although, Mr. Siebold isn't quite how I imagined he'd be.

I thought he'd sound more wistful, and that he'd be calling more for Japan to open up its borders.

Uhm, I think you're thinking of Perry...

S-so, um, refresh my memory: Who was Siebold again?

Philipp Franz von Siebold was a German physician, botanist, and natural historian who came to Japan in 1823 as part of a Dutch trading post.

He devoted much of his life to studying Japanese culture, and was a key figure in bringing Western medicine to the country.

He first met Otaki, a Japanese woman whom he would go on to wed, shortly after he arrived here.

She would eventually give birth to their only child, a daughter.

Oh, that must be Ine!

However, in the original timeline, the Edo shogunate found Siebold to be in possession of forbidden items...

...and forbade him from ever setting foot in Japan again.

This would later come to be known among historians as the Von Siebold Incident.

Of course, with things as they are in Nagasaki and Dejima, it would be impossible for a ship to set sail for the Netherlands.

So I'd guess his deportation has been postponed. But once everything is resolved, I doubt he'll be able to stay here any longer.

But, if he's going to be deported...what about Otaki and Ine?

In the original timeline...they were forbidden from leaving Japan with him.

And from what I've heard, their life here as a single mother and child was anything but peaceful.

That's terrible...

H-hang on. Since we know all that, and we're here now, can't we do something about it?

Yeah! We could help all three of them escape, or sneak them all onto a boat or something!

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Yes, I think so, too.

You two deserve to know what it is we're doing here.

I see...

So that's your deal, huh.

Did you actually understand everything they just told you?

Yeah... Though if someone tried to tell me anything else right now, it'd probably go in one ear and right out the other.

...Did you know why corned beef cans are shaped the way they are?

Knock it off!!!

... ...

So you guys are here to restore history to its proper state... Yep, that sounds pretty important.

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And you do that even when the history you're saving is really sad?

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Even though...you look so sad yourself right now, Manager?

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... ...

Okay! I understand!

I still don't really get what this is all about, Manager, but if you want to restore history, we'll help you!

Right, Chika!?

Sure.

Really? Just like that?

Eh, I've pretty much seen this coming since you told Hibiki all that stuff.

So, yeah, don't worry. I'll help out, too.

Chika...!

Okay, okay, I get it already! Now let GO of me!

Are they okay? Should I try to get between them?

I wouldn't...

Setting aside whether we can count on them... Frankly, we could really use more fighters on our side.

All right, everyone, gather round. We need to discuss our plan of attack for Dragon Castle.

Ultimately, we're going to need to get back inside Dragon Castle and defeat Otohime Kiyohime.

None of that can happen until we figure out how to infiltrate the compound first.

There's also her assistant Servant, Sebastian. His True Name concerns me, too.

I've already got questions about his pseudonym as it is...

We'll come back to him later.

The point is, the only reason we got inside Dragon Castle last time is because we were abducted.

So that is obviously not a method we can employ, meaning we need an alternative.

Which brings me to our next problem: the giant turtle.

Even the cannons on those foreign ships couldn't so much as scratch it, and we lack an effective means to strike it from a distance.

Ideally, I'd like to lure it onto land and defeat it there...

...but since it also apparently has an ability to neutralize Servants, we'd still need to do something about that first.

So...what DO we do then?

That's the question I'm trying to answer. Surrender is obviously not an option.

If only we had even a clue about a possible solution...

Ooh! Ooh, ooh!

Me! Me! I have an idea!

Ugh, what is it now?

I know of something that can solve both our problems.

The Tide-Ebbing Pearl.

All you gotta do is lure out that masked Servant and steal it from him.

It can part the sea to create a walkable path. That makes it perfect for reaching Dragon Castle AND fighting the turtle!

Hey, yeah! You're right!

I forgot the old masked guy had that!

You make it sound great, but it can't be that simple, can it?

Yeah, like, isn't that guy down in Dragon Castle? How're we gonna nab him up here?

Besides, even if we can steal the pearl, how do we know we will be able to use it?

Why're you all being such Debbie Downers!? I'm giving you major hints here, you know!

I wish you'd take me a little more seriously. I've got a plan to lure him out and everything. And that's not all.

What if I told you...I know how to use the pearl?

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Are you serious?

What are you, really? Are you actually...a Servant?

... ...

My True Name is...

...Azumi-no-Isora. I'm kind of a shut-in...but I'm also a god of the sea.

Dumplings! Dumplings! Delicious dumplings right here, croc!

...(Sigh)

These things aren't selling at all, croc. They're just too plain compared to what our competitors are putting out, croc.

We don't even have those salesgirls helping us out anymore, croc. This is getting real old, croc...

Oh, there you are! Boooss!

Croc!?

S-Salesgirl Number 2!? Is that you, croc? Did you come back to us, croc!?

No, I just don't know anyone else around here. Can we ask you a favor?

THAT'S the first thing you have to say to me, croc!?

So you just want me to deliver this letter to Lady Otohime, croc?

That's right. Would you? It's kind of urgent.

Well, if it's urgent, I guess I've got no choice, croc. But once I'm back, you'd better help us move some dumplings, croc!

You know, that guy seems kinda okay for a shark.

Are you sure this is going to work, Chika?

Don't ask me. It was all this thing's idea.

Okay, Master, I'd like you to write Otohime a letter.

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It doesn't matter what you write. Just tell her you want to talk to her or something.

The important thing is that you end it by saying, "Please send someone to pick me up."

Aha. Now I see.

If Master asks for someone to pick him up, Otohime Kiyohime will send Sebastian.

Then, all we would need to do is ambush him and take the Tide-Ebbing Pearl for ourselves.

Of course, for a plan like this to work, you'll first need to get Otohime's attention.

...Aren't you scared of what might happen afterward?

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I'm not saying it has to be a love letter. You should be fine as long as you don't write anything technically untrue.

Nnn, I don't know, Phoney.

You're suggesting taking advantage of Oto-to's feelings. That just doesn't sit right with me.

Oto-to's gonna be thrilled to get that letter, but you might break her heart when she learns the truth.

Yup, I clocked you as a dirty manipulator from the start, Smartphone.

Hey, c'mon! This is just a strategy, all right!?

The goal is to lure Sebastian out! That's all!

There's nothing more to this plan than that!

Or are you telling me you've got a better idea?

Weeell? I'm waitiiing!

Ugh, you seriously grind my gears!

I don't know. I don't love this idea either, but...

...if we're going to repair this minute Singularity, we will have to defeat her eventually.

And encouraging the enemy to lower their guard is a proven tactic in war, Master.

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Really, Manager? Are you sure?

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Admittedly, this tactic isn't the best fit for kindhearted souls.

But don't worry. We still have a last resort.

If it all goes to pot, I'm sure our mood maker here can manage something. Well...reasonably sure.

Me!? You're counting me!?

Heh.

It seems you've made your decision. I knew I was right to put my faith in you.

Now, I just remembered some business I need to attend to, so I'll be on my way!

Give me a ring when you've wrapped all this up! Byyye!

(Blip)

Hey! Get back here, dammit!

Man, he wasn't kidding. I haven't been able to get ahold of him again since.

Hehehe. Gods are so fickle.

Though I never would've guessed Mr. Smartphone was one.

Oh, wait. What did he say his god name was again?

Azumi-no-Isora.

Lessee... I think he showed up in the "Taiheiki," right?

Indeed. Isora makes no appearances in either the "Kojiki" or the "Nihon Shoki."

So yes, I would say the version of him described in the "Taiheiki" is the best known one.

As I recall, Isora's appearance goes something like this.

One day, a woman by the name of Empress Jingu summoned gods from all across Japan to share in their divine wisdom.

However, one god refused to go, so the other gods decided to lure him out with a show of song and dance.

Their plan worked, but...the god who finally appeared was an unsightly mess.

His whole body was covered from head to toe in small shells, barnacles, and seaweed-dwelling insects.

As you might have guessed, that god was Azumi-no-Isora.

Isora explained that he had initially shunned the call because he was ashamed of his appearance...

...and apologized by offering the empress the twin jewels of Dragon Castle: the Tide-Ebbing Pearl, and the Tide-Flowing Pearl.

The end.

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Yes, that's all the "Taiheiki" has to say about him, a few later variations on the tale aside.

He's always been a mysterious god, but when you lay it all out like this, he seems almost impossible to pin down.

Azumi-no-Isora, the god of the sea... I wonder if he's calling us from the bottom of the ocean then.

So even gods have phones these days, huh?

Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised. We know a vampire who uses an old-school flip phone, after all.

A god dwelling at the bottom of the sea, and there's almost nothing written about him... I wonder where he came from.

The more I think about it, the more curious it seems...

Hey, no point overthinking it! Not when there are zillions of gods out there, right?

Yes, that's true. And it's not as though there's something in particular nagging at me.

I suppose I will just have to let you all know if I come up with another theory.

For the moment, we should have a bit of time before our transportation arrives.

So let's go over the plan for capturing "Sebastian" and make sure we're all on the same pa

Ah...did anyone else hear that?

Chan-mas, the sea! There's something out in the bay, and...

...it's headed our way really, really fast!

I love you!!!

She came herself!?

Yes, it's me! Your Otohime!

I read your letter and I couldn't bear to wait another second!

Yes, I have a mountain'sa whole ocean's worth of things I want to talk about with you as well!

Oh, but since you reached out to me, it is only right that you be allowed to say your piece first!

(You're up, last resort mood maker!)

(Uhh... Let me think...)

Teehee, oh gosh, what could it be? Dare I say...a propo

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...Lord Fujimaru?

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Huh?

Oh, COME ON! Be direct if you must, but there is a line between directness and stupidity!

Still, Master, I suppose in your case, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Nagiko! You're good to go any time, right!?

Sure am! Yo, newbies! Get behind us and wait for my signal!

...!!!

You...used me, Lord Fujimaru? What do you mea

Right... I see now.

You didn't say anything false in your letter.

I was the one who got my hopes up and let them carry me away...

... ...

Still, this... This is just...

This is too cruel!

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You don't know the first thing about how to handle a poor Otohime's heart, do you!?

Fine then! If that's how you want to do this, I won't hold anything back either!

Heh... Hehe... Ehehehe...

I suggest you enjoy this bloodred sunset while you can, Lord Fujimaru.

Because once I take you back to Dragon Castle...

...you'll never see another!

Croc croc crooooooc!!!

Y-yikes. She's really starting to scare me...

Well, we have to do something, or she's gonna take Manager away for good!

We have to stop her!

Aaaaaah!

D-did we win!?

I-I felt like I might die of sheer terror more than once...but we seem to have stopped her.

Man, talk about a bittersweet victory.

First we led her on...then we beat her up... Hey, are we the bad guys?

Ah!

... ...

Ah...

...So I lost. How unfortunate.

Oto-to...

If only I could have taken you back to Dragon Castle and lived a quiet life serving you home-cooked meals and sweets every day...

What a wonderful life that would have been.

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But...

...I should have known better than to try and take back something I'd already let go of once before.

Dreams like that...I gave up any right to long ago.

... ...

Lord Fujimaru...

If I may make one last request of you...could you please send me back by your own hand?

Please, send me back to the fairy tale from whence I came...

...where I can continue to wait for someone who I know will never return.

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...Oto-to!

Huh?

Would you...like to make sweets with me!?

... ...

Wh...

...why sweets?

Easy!

There's just something about eating sweets that makes you happy! Right!?

I know I was really happy when I got to try the delicious food and sweets you served us at Dragon Castle!

I-I see.

That's...good to hear?

I'm not exactly trying to pay you back for that, but I'd still love you to have some of my own handmade sweets!

I'm not sure if they're quite your thing, but I hope, if you do end up liking them...

...maybe they can make you happy, too. So what do you say!?

You...want to make me...

...happy...?

Hibiki, I understand where you're coming from, ah, sort of, but...

No, actually, I'm not sure I do. Is now really the time for this?

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What?

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Lord Fujimaru...

Yes, of course!

If we all make and eat yummy sweets together, maybe we can all be happy together, too!

I swear...

You're so simpleminded. It's kind of nerve-racking to watch.

Like they say, "keep it simple, stupid!" The simpler the feelings, the better!

And you never knowmaybe that's what'll end up saving the world.

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... ...

We didn't have baked goods at the bottom of the sea.

So when I first learned about them through the Holy Grail...they shone as brightly as stars.

They were so dazzling to behold. To me, they were more enchanting than any pearl or coral I'd ever seen.

Maybe that's why...I failed to release something important when I found myself in their thrall.

What made them truly brilliant...

...was the fact they were made for no other reason than to bring someone joy.

Croc, croc!

Um... I'm sorry, I can't recall your name.

It's Hibiki!

...Hibiki.

I've been leaning completely on my crocs and the knowledge the Holy Grail gave me. I...don't know anything about making sweets by hand.

Do you still think I can?

Do you think it's possible for me to make sweets...that can make someone happy?

Yes, of course! They say cooking is a love language for a reason!

I'm sure you're going to be great at it, Oto-to!

Oh my. Teehee.

Good grief...

I suppose sometimes, not taking the simple route can actually work against you. At least all's well that ends well.

The important thing is, we no longer have to fight Otohime Kiyohime.

We still have to do something about Sebastian and that giant turtle...

...but as long as we have the Holy Grail, the rest can

... ...

Hang on.

Otohime Kiyohime doesn't have the Holy Grail!? Then, who

I am afraid playtime is over, my lady.

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Waaah! What's with the sudden flood alert!?

Wh-what's going on!?

Is that...the Tide-Flowing Pearl!?

Eeeeee!

Come, my lady. It's time to go home.

These people won't be able to reach you so easily once you're back in Dragon Castle.

I...I don't want to leave.

Oh?

There's something I want to do on land now. I can just go back to Dragon Castle once that's done, right?

...I'm afraid I can't allow that.

I need you to play your part, as the lord of Dragon Castle.

A shame.

Otaki took quite a liking to all of you...

...but it's clear I must dispose of you before you become a more serious thorn in my side.

Wait! Please, don't hurt them!

Master!!!

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Then allow me to dispose of them, my lord.

Is he transforming!?

No... He's undoing the inhibitors he used to block our perceptions! He's been deceiving us this whole time!

Humans... You can see this form?

I am the Divine Spirit known as...

...Umisachihiko.