Section 8: The Star Inside Me

Master! Are you awake!?

Waaah! I'm so glad you're alive, Chan-maaas!

I mean, we figured you must be, since we hadn't disappeared or anything, but we were still SUPER worried!

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I'll tell you!

It's 'cause Chikachi and Hibikichi used the Tide-Ebbing Pearl, right before the giant turtle swallowed them whole.

Thanks to them, we were able to make it back to the water's surface, but, I'm afraid those two and Siebold weren't so lucky...

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Huh?

How do you know that, Master?

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From me!!!

I stole it!!!

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Teehee, it was nothing. My crocs did all the hard work♡

Croc, croc, croooc!!!

They're exceptional navigators... Seriously, what are these things?

Oh, and please don't worry about Lady Otaki. I made sure to leave some crocs behind to guard her.

Damn, Oto-to, you're really on top of things!

You really pulled our butts out of the fire! We'd be stranded in the middle of the ocean doing who knows what if not for you!

Only...how DID you know to come out here and bail us out of trouble just when we needed it? Again!?

I noticed the waters near Dragon Castle had become quite turbulent.

That suggested to me Lord Fujimaru was in trouble, so I came as quickly as I could.

Although...I suppose this means my Dragon Castle is no more.

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No... It's all right.

That castle was never meant to be here in the first place.

More importantly, what are you going to do now? I can't imagine the cannons on this ship will be of much help.

Let's fall back to Dejima for now. We need to reformulate our strategy.

Umisachihiko has Isora, the pearls, and even the Holy Grail now. How can we fight someone with so many advantages?

Think... There must be a way...

You could always just throw yourself into the ocean.

Jump on my back, and I'll even take you to Haha-no-Kuni myself! Just be ready for it to be a one-way trip!

Iwabune! No, wait. That's...Umisachihiko!

This is like something out of a kaiju movie!

Damn! Looks like he's not going to make escaping easy!

I finally have everything I need to make my long-held wish come true.

All that remains is to see it through.

But first...I'll need to make sure none of you can interfere.

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Heh.

When I found myself summoned here, treasured pearls in hand, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Unfortunately, I lacked the command I had hoped for over the pearls.

The only thing I was able to draw through the gate was this abomination.

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But now, I not only have the pearls. I also have shrine maidens who can open the gate, and a Holy Grail to boot.

What's more, this very land itself is the largest gate in all this isolated country.

With all these pieces in place, I can use that gate to open a path to Wadatsumi-no-Miya.

Then, I will pay a visit to Owadatsumi-no-Kami...and lift this damn curse from the Age of Gods once and for all!

And if that means I must bind this world to the next, so be it!

Huh!?

This is ridiculous. You want to connect this world to the afterlife? This age is nothing like the Age of Gods!

There's no telling what the consequences for doing something like that might be!

Really!? What do you think would happen, Oto-to!?

How should I know!?

That alone would be enough to turn this minute point into a full-blown Singularity...and it certainly wouldn't stop there!

I see. Unfortunately for you, I don't care about that.

Still, once my wish is granted, I might be willing to join you for the aftermath.

Perhaps it will be widespread devastation, or perhaps you'll all simply disappear. I suppose we'll have to wait and see.

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...I don't like that look in your eyes, Master of Chaldea.

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Those are the eyes of a man whose spirit is nowhere close to breaking. If I spare you now, you will be a problem later.

So no more fun and games.

Time I ended you. Permanently. It is the only way to be sure you will not be a problem in the future.

Aw crap! There's no way this ship can take a direct hit from that

THIIING!?

Full speed ahead, croooc!

Show him what we're made of, croooc!

Let's do this, croooc!!!

They're PUSHING the ship!? You mean you've been doing this since all the way back in the bay!?

We'll head straight for Dejima! We stand a better chance fighting him on land than at sea!

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Did you really think I would just let you get away!? A flimsy ship like that can't possibly

Huh!?

Wh-what's going on!?

Look, Chan-mas! The turtle's all glowy!

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Khh...

Krrraaggh!?

What did you do to the pearls!?

What ARE you!?

What is that...?

Is it...a Servant...?

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THAT'S Isobe!?

B-but, how is he flying!? And why is he glowing!?

A god that lurks at the bottom of the sea...then shows himself high above it...

So that's it!

That's Azumi-no-Isora's true identity!

Huh!? What're you talking about, Professor Mellocchi!?

Remember what I told you before?

About how Azumi-no-Isora was slow to answer Empress Jingu's summons?

It wasn't actually because he was ashamed of how he looked. It's probably because it happened in autumn.

A-autumn? What does that have to do with anything?

Yes, I'm sure the empress waited a very long time indeed.

Because Azumi-no-Isora hides in the summer, appears at dawn in the fall, and glows brightest in winter.

He rises from the sea as year rolls on, only to inevitably return once more.

For people of ancient times, especially sailors, it was a very special guidepost...so special it was revered as a god.

Yes, not only is Azumi-no-Isora a god of the sea, he's also the god of a star that was deified for generations!

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That's right. The cloth isn't to hide a hideous face.

It was to seal away the light he emits from his own bodythe very light we're seeing now!

In Egypt, his star was known as Sopdet. In China, it was called Tiānláng, or "Heavenly Wolf."

It's been compared to Orion's hunting dog and it's famous for being the brightest star in the night sky.

That star's name is...Sirius!

... ...

Waaaaaah! What the hell's going ooon!?

What're we doing all the way up here!?

For that matter, what the hell happened to me!?

Wow, this is amazing! So this is what it feels like to become a star!

Oh, look, there are all the others. Go on, Hibiki, wave to them!

You want us to WAVE to them!? Now!?

Um... Could you two keep it down, please?

Oh, sorry!

All right... Take a look down there. See our enemy? The giant turtle that swallowed us whole?

Well, we have both the treasured pearls now. You know what we have to do next, right?

Oh geez. What do you want us to do now?

Well, for starters...

...let's try parting it.

What is this!? What is she doing!?

...!!!

It can't be...

The Tide-Ebbing Pearl!?

N-no way! The whole sea just parted!!!

Wait, look! The turtle's stuck now that it's on land!

What in the world is going on!?

It's just like the legend said! The Tide-Ebbing Pearl's controlling the tide to make a path through the ocean!

This is mad! Nagasaki Bay is at least twenty meters deep! I can't even imagine how much water he must be displacing to do this!

Why are Divine Spirits always so completely insane!?

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There it is... Nice work, Manager. You didn't hesitate for a moment.

The treasured pearls have opened the gate of Wadatsumi! All we have to do is draw out every last bit of power, then add ours to it!

Okay. Here we go, Chika. Follow my lead.

I-I'm doing this, too!? Oh man, oh man...

...Okay! Got it!

Starlit...

Marmalade!!!

Wh-wha...

AAARRRGHHH!

Damn! Seriously!?

They actually got the giant turtle... Wow! High schoolers today are really something else!

Was it all thanks to the Command Spell powering it up? ...No, it was more than that. I think...they were using magical energy directly from the next world...

But, that can't be right. Their Spirit Origin couldn't possibly endure the strain...

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Wait! Don't disembark just yet!

Is that... No, it can't be!

... ...

I think I overdid it... Yeah, I'm...pretty worn out...

Well duh. That's what happens when you push yourself so hard.

So hey, I'd kind of like to get out of here now. How do we go back to our own selves?

I'd like to do that too, but I think we should wait.

We still have to face him.

Him?

You've really done it now, Isora.

This is exactly why you can never let your guard down around Owadatsumi gods like you.

Mr. Umisachi...

I'm impressed. That girl's strike just now was truly magnificent.

I won't be able to use the spirits anymore. I'll never be able to assume that turtle's form again.

So I'll just have to be content with the ones I managed to absorb myself!

Hrn...!

Are you nuts!? You still haven't given up!?

Heh. Of course not.

I may have failed to open the gate to Wadatsumi-no-Miya, but at least I've finally gotten warmed up.

Ah, but what a shame. It looks as though your Spirit Origin is on the verge of collapse as well.

It seems this final battle is going to be quite dull.

Stop the maaatch!

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Manager... You guys...

If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get! Against us!

Ha!

Good, good! That's more like it! Come at me! All of you! All at once!

You can all bear witness to my final rampage!!!

HRAAAH!

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THIS!!!

Ghh...!

Well...done...!!!

We... We did it. We beat a Divine Spirit...all on our own!

Hell yeah we did it, Professor Mellocchi! We are the GOAT!

This is the power of friendship, babyyy!!!

Whoa, wait! I never said anything about friendship!

... ...

...Mr. Umisachi.

Hehe.

Worry not. I'm well and truly spent this time. Now that was a proper battle.

Here. A reward for the victor. Use it as you lot see fit.

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That was a good battle. It made my heart dance.

I gave it all I had, and I still lost. I have no regrets.

This is far better than being cursed and flooded. I never want to lose so pathetically again!

Then, you mean...

...Hey, Umisachihiko. I'm curious about something.

Do you resent your brother?

No. Why?

Why? I mean, come on.

He cursed you, used the treasured pearls on you... It really doesn't seem fair, right?

If you want to win, you do whatever it takes.

That's what he did, and he beat me. There's nothing else to it.

Although...I suppose I do regret that I wasn't able to fight him at full strength. I think he was disappointed as well.

Well, if we ever did fight again, I have no doubt I would win.

Ugh. I swear, this god is such a pain in the ass...

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Hahahaha!!! Well said, Umisachi!

Babooo.

Dr. Bolbol!? But I thought the turtle ate you!

What happened? Were you freed when Iwabune disappeared?

Not that I'm not glad you're all right, but still.

Thank you, Umisachi. You used the Holy Grail's power to keep Ine and me safe, didn't you?

For all your foul talk, you're far too soft on humans.

Ooomeee.

Hmph.

Enough of that. You don't mean it. Besides, I told you, I don't care for such sappy talk.

I just didn't want the guilt of knowing I let my Master die. That's all.

...You're a tsundere.

What's that?

That was a fine duel, Umisachi. You are truly a man of the sea, with a heart big enough to match.

In my capacity as your Master, I failed to make full use of your capabilities. For that, I am sorry.

Still...I'm glad it was you I summoned.

Yeah... I guess it wasn't all bad.

If you ever wanted to summon me again, I wouldn't mind answering your call.

No. That won't be happening.

Lord Siebold...

Thank you, Otohime. I owe you a great deal as well.

How is Otakusan? Is she still well?

Oh yes, she's fine. But she's eagerly waiting for the two of you to return.

I see. I'm glad to hear that...

... ...

Otohime... Would you help me apologize to her?

Buh?

Teehee... Absolutely not♡

Now then...

Hibiki. No... Sirius. You're using the Tide-Ebbing Pearl's power to part the sea now, yes?

Uh-huh.

Leaving the bottom of the sea all dry like this can't be good. It's time you put things back to how they were.

I'm going to stay here. You should go back to your ship.

Huh? What're you saying?

If you stay here, you'll drown once the sea is back to normal. Unless...you'd be okay, since you're a Servant?

No, I'll still drown. Even as a god, I've been vulnerable to water ever since I was cursed.

Pathetic, isn't it? A fisherman who can't even go in the ocean.

Be that as it may, I'm still a man of the sea. If I'm going to end my existence as a Servant...

...I want it to be in the ocean.

H-hang on a second.

You asking us to leave you to die doesn't mean we can actually do it!

Now don't say that. As you can see, I don't have much time left anyway.

Oh...

Come on, Chika. We need to take everyone else back to the ship.

...Mr. Umisachi.

Hm?

I was right. You really aren't a bad god.

Hehe...

Even at the end, you're still throwing me off. All right, go on already.

...Siebold.

Yes, Umisachi?

That infant on your back... You said her name was Ine?

Raise her well.

Uh... What's the blessing you give at times like this? May you always be in good health, free from illness? Anyway, you have it now. Take it with gratitude.

Googoo...

Thank you, Umisachihiko.

Farewell...noble god from a foreign land...

Phew, we finally made it! Feels like forever since I set foot on land!

Don't exaggerate. It hasn't even been a day.

...Hm?

Doctor!!!

Otakusan! I'm sorry to make you worry abou

Shadduuup!!!

Autsch!

The classic paper fan slap!?

Damn right I worried about you, Doctor! Can you even IMAGINE how worried!?

And you even took Ine with you! I'm a patient woman, Doctor, but I still have my limits!

Ahh, I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry!

... ...

Nagiko.

'Sup?

I take back what I said earlier. I finally feel like I'm standing on solid ground again, too.

Right? Everybody's okay, and we got the Holy Grail, too!

All that's left now is

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Oh, right. Guess that means this is goodbye then.

You know, it's strange.

This minute Singularity has been nothing but trouble, and yet, there's a part of me that'll be sad to see it go.

Manager!

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This is all taken care of now, right? We should throw a wrap party to celebrate!

Hehehe, I hope you're hungry, 'cause today, we're gonna show you what we can really do in the kitchen!

Right, Oto-to!?

... ...

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Lord Fujimaru.

I know I've caused a great deal of trouble, for you and everyone else. I know I have no right to ask this of you.

But, do you think you could find it in your heart to stay just one more night?

I'm still hoping I can find some way to express my gratitude to you.

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!!!

Oh yes, that sounds wonderful! It will be a collaboration symbolizing our shared love!

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Now that that's settled, there's no time to waste! Let's find an establishment we can reserve right away, then we can get to work!

(As long as it's not our café, croc...)

You're welcome to use our house!

We can make it a true banqueta night of merriment for all to come together to drink, celebrate, and enjoy themselves.

Hahahaha! And I include us in "everyone" as well!

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...I'll be leaving tomorrow. This will be my last night here.

So if nothing else...I would like to spend it with a big smile on my face.

Hm? Where'd Chikachi run off to?

Chika? She's, um...

She's still recovering from her seasickness.

Ooh. Gotcha.

You two have been, without doubt, the least Servantlike Servants I've ever seen.

... ...

Doctor... Will you promise not to laugh at me if I ask you a ridiculous question?

Of course. What is it, Otakusan?

There's something about you now that seems different from the Doctor I know.

It's as though you've lived for days...years...decades beyond this point...

...and came back to Ine and me as a much older man in a young man's body. You have, haven't you?

...What makes you think that?

After all the time we've spent together...I guess I can just tell.

You used to leave caring Ine entirely to me. Now, I can hardly tear you away from her. Hehe...

I can't help but feel as if you're trying to make up for lost time.

Hahaha...

I suppose you've got me there.

Otakusan, the truth is, I

Doctor.

Please, tell me. After you go back to your home country...

...do we ever see each other again?

...Yes.

Yes, of course we do. I promise you, I will return.

Although...I'm afraid it won't be for a long time.

A very...very long time...

... ...

That's all right. I'm just glad I got to hear that.

Otherwise, I'm sure I would have spent many of my days to come grieving your absence.

But, now that I know you'll return to me one day...

...I'm sure I'll be able to go on no matter what life has in store.

But, Otakusan...

You may end up forgetting everything I've just told you...or that I was even here at all.

Oh?

Do you really think I could forget you even if I tried, Doctor?

Right...

That's right. I'd almost forgotten what kind of person you were myself, OtakusaOtaki.

Thank you. I was dangerously close to sticking my nose where it didn't belong.

It took me a long time, but I finally understand.

The only beautiful, peaceful country I need...is you, Otaki.

Wherever you are, there too is my beautiful, peaceful country.

Doctor?

Are you...leaving me again?

I'm afraid this is farewell for now, Otakusan. Please, take care of yourself.

And take care of Ine as well...until I can see you both once more...

Babaaa!?

I wonder if Dr. Bolbol's left by now. Hope he didn't make Otaki cry.

So Mr. Siebold, Otaki, and Ine won't be able to see each other again for another thirty years...

It'll be okay, right? History's not going to change in a way that keeps them apart forever, right?

This minute Singularity is already repaired. History will continue as it should now, unaltered.

Speaking of which, we can't stay here forever, either. It won't be long before everything here goes back to the way it's meant to be.

Oh. I was hoping to try a Nagasaki specialty like champon or sara udon before we left.

Don't be ridiculous. None of that exists in this time. You'd realize that if you thought for two seconds, you mitochondria!

What was that!? How 'bout you and I settle things once and for all before we disappear, you piss-poor excuse for a god!?

Hehe, do you really think you can lay a hand on me? I'm a 3D projection, remember!?

Why you dirty little

Chika! Isora!

Don't try to stop me, Hibiki! I'm finally gonna tear this jackass a new one!

Um, I wasn't trying to stop you. Look.

Hey.

... ...

...Yuta?

Move it, croc! We want to leave this place neater than we found it, croc!

Croc croc croooc!

Ahh...

I don't know how I'm going to bring myself to say goodbye, Lord Fujimaru.

To think I'll never see you again... (Sniff)

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So here's an idea! What if...you use that Holy Grail you just collected to stay here forever!?

We could open up a small sweets shop together and live here happily ever after!

We'll want at least enough children to make our own baseball team, of course, and

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Teehee. Don't worry. I'm just joking.

The real Lady Kiyohime is waiting for you back at Chaldea, right?

Will you pass how grateful I am for her letting me use her Spirit Origin?

And also...

...would you please take good care of her? For me?

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Oh, Lord Fujimaru.

If you ask me, a little white lie isn't such a bad thing in moments like this.

Oh. That was...sooner than I expected.

Bye-bye, croc!

Where're we going, croc!?

Well, Lord Fujimaru... It seems this really is goodbye.

I'm sure you can find pictures of me in many illustrated storybooks.

But I hope you'll remember that the Otohime you met here...

...existed just for you...

So...

Did you miss me after I was gone?

... ...

Ha, I knew it. You never could do anything on your own.

But hey... You're okay now, right?

Yeah... I think I am.

Good. Hehe.

Yuta...

I'm pretty sure you and I are heading to two very different places.

I'll probably never get to see you again.

But...I have to go all the same.

I know. That's okay.

That's where you're meant to be, Isora.

...Goodbye, Yuta.

...Goodbye, Isora.

Welcome back. So, uh...

...Did you finish saying your goodbyes?

Haha, well this is me we're talking about. So I'd say it went pretty well.

Are you glad you got to see her one last time?

...I am.

Although, I still wanna know what the heck she was, exactly. She wasn't a ghost, right?

The gate swallowed her along with the turtle, so she must have been released along with it when Umisachihiko broke the seal on it.

I'd guess she was the same kind of being as those soldiers composed from wrath. Not of this world, only able to remain a short while.

Eh, who cares? All that matters to me is that I got to say goodbye.

Now then...

Chikagi. Hibiki. I think it's time you and I said our goodbyes as well.

Huh?

B-but, we're your Pseudo-Servant, right?

Does this mean you're firing us!?

Heh. No. No, not at all.

I'm just saying this is the last time I will show myself like this.

I only appeared in the first place because of how unusual this situation is. Normally, I shouldn't be out in the open like this.

So from now on, I'm going to let you two handle the Servant stuff and just stick to being the god behind the curtain.

Then...we'll never get to talk to you like this again?

You may not be able to see or hear me...but I'll still always be with you both.

I'm looking forward to learning all about the outside world through your eyes.

So, you're gonna be with us ALL the time? Great. Juuust great.

Ahahahaha!

We're a package deal now, like it or not. For my part, I hope you never change, either.

Welp, there you have it! Bye!

That was...kind of anticlimactic...

Eh, I'm sure he'll pop up again when we least expect it. He's like that.

All that aside, now that I stop and think about this, it's a lot to take in.

I mean, me, a Servant and vessel for an actual god? I'm just a regular person. I don't know if I can handle all that.

Hehehe. Personally, I'm kind of happy about this.

The two of us make up a single Servant, right? So it'll always be together when we're called into action.

And as long as we're together, I don't think we need to be afraid of anything!

You know, sometimes you're so easygoing it kind of worries me...

But...I guess that's okay. If we're stuck together, I can live with that.

Huh?

I guess this means it's time.

Goodbye, everyone! Thank you for everything!

Wahaha, don't worry about it!

Yes, we owe you our thanks as well. We couldn't have done this without your help.

Oh.

You know, I've been meaning to ask.

Servants were originally famous people, right?

So, who did you two used to be?

Wahaha! Not telling!

Why not?

Trust me, you two would just be disappointed to learn her True Name. On...so many levels.

Hehe. If you really want to know who I am...I'll tell you the next time we meet!

So you'd better come see us again sometime, Chikachi and Hibikichi!

...Okay! Later, Nagiko!

Later, Waver!

R-right...

Yes, I suppose we may meet again sometime. Though I might look a little different than you remember.

I hear drinking milk will help you grow taller.

That's just an old wives' tale! Besides, I wasn't referring to my height!

Oh, right. Manager?

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Were we helpful? Even just a little?

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Hehe, oh good.

Well...I guess hanging out with you has been kind of fun.

If you hadn't showed up, we might still be stuck selling dumplings!

Don't say things like that.

Oh, one last thing. If you can't do this for any reason, that's fine, but...

...you guys sound like you could use all the help you can get, right? So, if you end up needing ours, go ahead and call on us.

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After everything we've been through? Of course I'm sure.

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Hehehe, you hear that, Chika? I can't wait!

Well, I think this is it. Goodbye, Manager. Goodbye, Nagiko. Goodbye, Waver.

Until we meet again!