Pursue Luqaimat!

...Got all that?

Oh, yeah, totally.

Hmm. I can tell you're lying, my steed. It's plain on your face.

All right, I'll start over. Again.

First, I'm spending this summer with Master in this Singularity.

You do get that, right?

Well, sure.

Good.

Next, you know how there are no horses or dragons in this modern city?

(Looking away)

Hey. Look at me when I'm talking to you.

Uh, yes, Boss.

Now, listen closely.

The people of modern civilization have learned to build incredible cities.

Unfortunately, those cities are not well-suited for horses, though.

They are also a poor fit for dragons, since you can't walk without flapping your wings.

Well, yeah, sure. Horses aren't as important as they used to be, and there's basically no dragonkin around anymore.

Right. So there you go.

This Singularity is situated in a modern city.

So, you stand out too much for me to keep you with me at all times.

Can't I just use my spirit form?

You could...

But can you swear to me you will not come out of it if you, say, see a pretty lady?

... ...

... ...Nyep.

Which was that? Nope or yep? (Sigh) I swear...

Okay, listen. I'll call on you if we need to fight...

...so no going off on your own.

Wat.

I mean, look. I don't think anyone will care if you show up in battle.

Servant battles are already so flashy, a dragon or two hardly gets noticed.

If someone asks, we can just say we were filming a movie or something.

But I still want to avoid drawing unnecessary attention when we're just out and about. Got it?

...

Got it?

......

Got. It?

G-got it.

...How sure are you?

Come on, I got it, Boss! Ahahaha...

You just want me to stay put and keep out of trouble, right?

Then maybe I'll just lie around and be lazy for a change. This IS a pretty big suite.

...Good.

Hmm, what to do, what to do? Oh, maybe I'll spend this summer reading. That could be fun.

(Whistling)

Well, of course I'm gonna head out.

It's not like the boss is here to stop me, and sitting around the hotel all day is boooring.

And look. No crying. No shouting. No panicking in the streets. This modern world's way more accepting than the boss thinks.

Even if people see an animal bigger than a cow or a horse walking around, and it turns out to be not a bear, but an unfamiliar dragon...

...they just write it off as a movie prop or a VTuber overlay or something, and not give it a second thought.

Hmmm. You seem very knowledgeable about the modern world.

Yeah, I guess. The boss doesn't look at them much, but I go through Chaldea's archives pretty often.

They're pretty sweet. Not as much freaky stuff as the real internet...

...but in some Singularities, you can even get a high-speed connection going. This place is one of 'em.

A dragonkin variant adapted to the modern age. Very interesting. Oh, right. You're actually a horse, aren't you?

Sure am. I've always been able to talk, though.

...Wait. Who'm I talking to, anyway?

Me? Why, I'm everyone's favorite little sister! I just happened by.

Thank you for sharing that fascinating pet theory. But, I do think walking around like this may be more dangerous than you think.

Which is why I'm going to help you out with a little disguise.

Yah.

Aah!

Wh-what the...!? What is this!?

Th-this black bikini... This bangin' bod... No way... I-it can't be!

I'm the boss now!?

WHAT'S GOING ON!?

Ahaha. You're twice as cute when you're flustered.

It's nothing too complicated. You originally became a dragon thanks to a curse, right?

Now that Nikitich has changed into a swimsuit Spirit Origin, it's made your Spirit Origin unstable...

...so it just took a little nudge to change you into this.

Huh! So that's how it works!

Hehe, well anyway, thanks! Now I can really enjoy everything Dubai has to offer!

Ehehehe, this is gonna be great. What to do first? Ah, who'm I kidding. I'm gonna have to go somewhere with lots of ladies and

...Luqaimat.

Huh?

Luqaimat. They're pretty famous around here.

I'm rather fond of them, myself. They're great.

If you have time, I suggest trying some for yourself. I don't think you'll regret it.

Huh... Hmmm.

Looking for something I've never heard of while on a trip, huh...

Yeah... Yeah! That sounds like a nice goal to have for the trip!

Besides, hehe, this one sounds especially good!

Thanks, little sister! I'm gonna go try looking for this luqaimat!

Ahaha. Try not to stumble.

You know it!

Hmm hm hmm♪

Luqaimat, luqaimat... Where could it be? Is it food? I hope it's food.

...Damn. I just realized I can't read any of this writing.

I know a little Cyrillic, but Arabic's a whole other ball game.

... ...

...Guess it'd be wrong to look in a mirror, huh.

Yeah. Yeah, I shouldn't.

But, then again...what's the harm? There's nothing wrong with checking myself out in the mirror, right?

It's not like I'm, you know, gonna take the swimsuit off or anything.

And it's not like anyone'd try to stop me, either. I mean, who're these excuses I'm making even for?

... ...

...Should I do it? Should I really look in a mirror?

(Heart pounding)

Man, I think my heart is pounding. Wait. Does this mean I

What're ya doin'?

Aah! You surprised me!

You? I'm the one who's surprised! I thought you were s'posed to be guardin' Master with the others, Nikiti.

Hm?

(Sniff, sniff)

This scent... You're not Nikiti, are you?

You're her dragon pal. Am I wrong?

So the jig's up, huh.

Uh, look, I can explain, okay? Blah blah, blah blah blah...

...You're looking for luqaimat?

Yeah, that's it! Nothing more, nothing less! I swear!

(I'm not lying! I just don't need to tell him I was also planning on looking at myself in a mirror!)

Luqaimat... Hmm...

Little sister lady said it was famous around here, so I'm thinking it must be food.

And I'd bet it's real tasty, too!

Oh hey! That sounds golden!

Dubai's obviously a wealthy city. It just stands to reason that any famous dishes here have gotta be good.

Still, it's okay if it's not food. The important thing is, it sounds like it's gotta be good.

So if you can buy it, I'd like to get one.

... ...

Hm? What's up?

Now I see.

O-okay? See wha

All right, got it!

Aah! You scared me again! Don't just shout like that!

Something about your voice really hits me hard! Geez, that was scary!

Oh, whoops! Sorry 'bout that! I forgot you were originally a horse.

Okay, as my way of sayin' sorry, I'll help you look for this luqaimat stuff!

Whoa, really?

Sure. I'm not working my part-time job today, anyway!

Luqaimat?

Never heard of it. Perhaps it is some kind of sea monster?

Don't just make stuff up, Saber.

No, no, I could see it! A god-killer's words carry a lot of weight! They're extra golden!

Huh? Really?

I don't know. This luqaimat stuff doesn't sound like a monster to me. I think it's probably food.

Plus, they say it's a GOOD thing.

Hmm, I see! Perhaps it was good. Once.

But maybe it's...fallen to the dark side or something.

Wait, why are you going along with this now!? Did I say something?

If it is a fallen god, it would be very dangerous! Don't let its curse swallow you!

Good advice. Thanks!

None of you are even listening to me, are you?

Luqaimat, hmm.

I cannot say I have ever heard of such a thing before. How about you, Lord Tajima?

Hmm. How intriguing that I should learn yet another unfamiliar word.

Mmm. Perhaps fate has led us to this encounter.

Lord Tajima-no-kami? Lady Tomoe? What are you talking about?

I am afraid I may be a touch lost.

Hehe. Forgive us. This merely reminded us of another similar occasion.

At any rate... Luqaimat. Ah, what could it be? Your thoughts, Lady Shousetsu?

Unfortunately, I have never heard of any such thing, so I can only hazard a guess.

It does have a fun ring to it, so perhaps...

...it is some kind of foreign creature?

!

!!!

I-I'm sorry. Please, forget I said anything. Just a bit of idle speculation!

Hehe.

Perhaps it is nothing of the sort. There could well be a creature by that very name.

It may also be a cute, cuddly creature with which we are unfamiliar. Perhaps a Phantasmal!

You think so?

Hmm. I suppose its name bears one such connotation, possibly...

Connowhat?

What the hell? Why does everyone we talk to decide it must be some kind of monster!?

If it IS a creature like that, it's gotta be lurkin' somewhere people aren't gonna spot it easily.

Ah, yes. I recall how, in Edo, ghosts and monsters refused to reveal themselves until after the sun had set.

It would only make sense for such a mythical beast to dwell in darkness, far away from the light of the sun.

Yeah, that tracks.

All right, partner, let's go track down this luqaimat nest!

Nest!? So now we're just treating this creature as real!?

I'm telling you, I really don't get the sense this thing's a monster! I think it's food!

Come on, man, don't you think we should take a pause on this hunting thing and just check out the souq first?

Come on, what do you say?

Now we're looking for a luqaimat in an underground cave!?

And we didn't even bother to talk to a local elder or something before we came here!

Don't you think our approach here is a little, uh...random, Kintoki!? Let's at least check out the souq before

Shh. Quiet.

O-okay.

... ...

...Wait. Hang on.

Are you trying to make me fall for you by acting all cool and stuff 'cause I look like a hot chick right now?

Really? Seriously?

D-dude, you can't do that! I know I look exactly like Boss Nikitich now...

...but this is taking things way too fa

Huh?

Did you just hear that growl, too?

...There it is. Now that's one hell of a golden magical energy signal! This thing's not messing around!

A Luqaimat! And it's just as big and nasty looking as I thought!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa...!? No way! Uh-uh! This can't be right!

This isn't a local monster or anything! That's totally a giant you-know-what!

Let's goooooo!!!

Oh well. It does look like the kinda thing we should probably take care of. Ugh dammit, I can't fight in this form!

Phew!

All right. This thing might not be a luqaimat, but whatever it is, it's sure nasty!

Let's do this thing!

(Huff, huff, gasp, gasp... Phew...)

Man, I'm exhausted! I had no idea backing up Berserkers could be so tiring!

Definitely never doing that again... (Huff, huff...)

Well done...

As a reward for defeating me...

...I will grant you one wish...

You hear that? What do you wanna wish for?

Uhh... Hmm. Okay, let's clear this up once and for all.

So like, what's a luqaimat? It's not you, right?

No... I am not a luqaimat...

Oh, really? Whoops.

Nor am I indigenous to this region... No, I am an artificial spirit a certain Servant cultivated in secret...

Gotcha. Hm? Hang on.

Uh... Can you tell us who this certain Servant is?

...I don't know.

It seems I was grown without any particular purpose, then quickly released and told to go back to nature...

Hmm, okay. So it's not like whoever made you was plottin' anythin' evil then.

Indeed...

(Huh, I wonder who it could be... Paracelsus, maybe?)

So what about the luqaimat? Will you tell us what it is already?

Luqaimat...

...is a Middle Eastern sweet made from deep-fried dough and eaten with syrup. It also smells like cardamom and saffron.

Try it with molasses.

It is delicious.

Huh, so it WAS food after all. And it sounds real yummy!

Pretty sure I've been saying that the whole time! Oh well, at least now we know.

Come on then, let's go to the souq and get some!

Here you go. Got some luqaimat!

Hehe. Thanks, Kintoki. I couldn't go in the bakery myself. I didn't wanna freak the employees out.

No problem, dude. You'd do the same for me. Although, why couldn't you just cast that spell on yourself again?

Oh, right. That wasn't mine. Some nice passing little sister transformed me.

I owe my time just roaming this city to her. Anyway, let's try this luqaimat stuff!

(Munch, munch)

Whoa! It's crunchy, spongy, and rich!

It's nice and sweet, and these spices are a nice accent to the flavor.

Yum!

Okay, that was definitely worth it.

Ya don't say.

Wh-what? What's with the knowing look?

Oh, I was just thinkin' 'bout how you must really like Nikiti.

That's all.

Huh???

Those luqaimat are a gift for her, right?

Uh... Well, um... N-no, I...

You're...not wrong, but... I mean... Uh...

Haha, no need to be embarrassed. You oughta be proud of that side of yourself!

Anyway, the sun's gettin' pretty low, so why don't ya go on back and give those to her!

There you are!

Where've you been, you disobedient steed!?

I told you again and again not to go out. But there you went, breaking your word like it was nothing.

You do know what this means, right?

It means you get this. (Chopping motion)

Eeeeeeeee! Spare meee!

W-w-w-wait, Boss! Please! Let me explain!

You see... Blah blah blah, blah blah blah...

...What?

Luqaimat?

Hmm. So you were searching for this well-known Middle Eastern sweet...

...for me?

Man, I'm so glad it really was food!

I didn't know what I was gonna do if it turned out to be a vase or something, since you don't have your own room at Chaldea.

I mean, you could just take one by force, but that's not really your style, is it, Boss?

So that means food was the best thing I could give you! I heard it was good, and it really is.

Hey, you could even take this opportunity to share it with Master, no?

Y-yeah...

And that's not all.

Hm?

There's a chance you might run into the Yaskayas somewhere too, right, Boss?

Then you could share these with them. Right?

Remember? They told you it didn't have to be animal treats.

...!

...Yeah. Good point.

It's too bad you broke your promise. I'll still have to punish you for that.

But, more importantly...

...I'm so happy. And proud of you!

You're my loyal steed. We spent years together, died together...

Even if we're now just shadows inscribed into the Throne...

...your devotion and thoughtfulness are undiminished, even by death!

Y-yeah? So, um, that means...?

You did great!

Well done, my steed!