Section 12: 3rd Lap A/Where Children Laugh

Our third attempt at the first checkpoint, the cooking test...

...didn't turn up a help card, so we had to do the best we could on our own.

We still didn't have any hints to work from, but this time, we all approached the task differently.

Instead of trying to make something that would get a high score...

...we instead tried something we thought would give us as much information as we could get about Kazuradrop's overall goal.

Specifically, we decided to make a stollen that was almost mind-numbingly sweet.

She ate it happily while exclaiming how sweet it was, but it only earned seventy-five points.

That was fine. Good, even.

Because the pancakes we made last time were also a kind of sweet, but they earned a ninety-two.

This was enough for us to be certain that simply making something sweet wouldn't be enough to improve our score.

Or you could say that we now understood that making sweet food isn't necessarily crucial to being a perfect father.

This was the way we were going to narrow our focus. Luckily, we can repeat this game as many times as we want until we get it right.

I have to say, it was pretty funny seeing Kazuradrop look at us quizzically...

...when we were all nodding at each other knowingly despite not getting a great score.

Next, we had the outing trial at the second checkpoint...but this time, we found a blank help card on the way.

I guess it just goes to show how much good karma Fujimaru has racked up.

Now, the real investigation begins. Let's see if we can't take another step into the secret garden.

？！

Huang Feihu, aka Prince Wucheng, at your service!

Tell me, which version of me do you need today? The loyal Prince Wucheng who fights to stamp out dissent?

Or the Prince Wucheng who fights for freedom and open borders?

Whichever one you need today

...Hm? You want my expertise on being a perfect father?

Well, I am a father, yes. But that doesn't necessarily make me a perfect one.

Hmm, I see. Now I understand why you called me here...

...but it's not my place to say whether I was even a respectable father, let alone a perfect one.

I lost my wife to King Zhou's tyranny and Daji's machinations. As I fought back, I ultimately lost my children, too...

(Oh. Right. He's seen his own share of tragedy, like Geronimo.)

(I suppose that's not uncommon among people accomplished enough to be inscribed on history itself...)

(But just because it's common doesn't mean it's easy to accept. Poor man...)

Seems like jumping right into the meat of this race might not be the best approach, no?

Yeah. I'd like to get a good score here, of course, but we should probably try to get to the underlying premises behind these trials if we can.

？！

You want to know where I used to take my children?

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is when I defected from Shang and took them through the five checkpoints to reach Xiqi...

Isn't that the episode related to your Noble Phantasm? I don't think that's quite what we're after here.

Oh, right. My sons all just vociferously agreed with you.

Hold on. Maybe we should ask them about this as well.

Normally, it's hard to manifest them, but under these circumstances, I think I can at least make their voices heard.

Haaaaaa!

(Jumping in shock)

Wh-where did that come from!? Is something wrong!?

No, sorry. I'm not much of a Taoist, so it's difficult for me to make precise adjustments to my body.

I kind of have to brute-force it to get anywhere.

Anyway, I think that should do it. Are you there, boys?

'Sup, Master. Huang Tianlu here. You hearing me okay?

Stop that, Tianlu! Just because he can only hear your voice doesn't give you the right to be rude!

Good day, Master. It is I, Huang Tianjue. Fine weather we're having today, isn't it?

I-I'm here, too! It's me, Huang Tianxiang!

It certainly got more, uh, lively around here...

My apologies. Now, what were we talking about again?

You were saying something about perfect fathers, right? What do you think, Tianhua?

Well, unlike the rest of you, I spent a long time away training under the sages.

So you all probably know better than I do.

I-I think you're perfect, Father! You're so strong, and... Well, you know, you're strong!

Indeed. As a warrior, I would respect you from the bottom of my heart even if you weren't my father.

But that's not the same thing as being a perfect father, is it?

I mean, I definitely don't like how loud he gets whenever he's upset about something!

Yeah... Me, neither...

That's enough, boys. For now, I just want you to hear Master out before answering his questions.

Yes, Father.

Where do we want Father to take us?

I'd say the battlefield, so I can win glory for myself!

I want to go to a library where I can learn all the greatest military strategies from throughout history.

I-I, uh... Anywhere is fine!

I'm happy to go anywhere with Father as long as we're together!

Hmm. This is already getting complicated, and we're still only discussing hypotheticals.

Are you sure I was the right person to call on, Master?

？！

Hmm... Can I ask you something, boys?

If you, his sons, had to choose a single place on which you all agreed, what would it be?

... ...

If we had to choose one that was most important, it would be...

...Tianxiang's answer.

Agreed.

Wait. Huh!?

It's the most basic requirement to what we're talking about, which is also why it's the one we can all readily agree on.

So our answer is, "Anywhere we can be with Father."

Hmm.

？！

That's also why we didn't hesitate back then.

Indeed. When Father said he was going to abandon the Shang dynasty our family had served for seven generations and head for Xiqi, where Jiang Ziya was...

...we knew right away we would all go with him, too.

It wasn't as though we had no choice, either. We went with him because we wanted to.

I'm sorry. I may have been wrong when I said that journey wasn't what you were looking for!

It was actually one of the best things I ever did!

Really, it's not about WHERE you go!

The important thing is whether you're there with your father!

Boys...

Hmm, I see.

Okay, got it. Thanks. That was helpful.

I'm thinking back right now to what happened during the first trial...

...and what happened during the second.

Okay. For this one, let's try something more extreme.

Good idea.

I'm on board with trying a situation where that's the only option. And in this case...

Hello.

So, where will you be taking me today, Fathers?

Hehehe. Let me show you! Imagination powers, activaaate!

Wh-what is this place?

A go-kart track that's open to children as well as grown-ups.

...I see. Well, that's fine. I can't say I was expecting a place like this, though.

This really seems all about where you want to go more than anything.

Oho, a place where we can drive iron chariots. I wonder which is faster, them, or my Five-Colored Divine Ox?

Your help card Servant doesn't seem like he's being very supportive, either.

What are you playing at?

Nothing. There's only one thing to do at a go-kart track.

These karts are all two-person vehicles. You and Fujimaru will be driving one of them, while Kadoc and I drive another.

Don't forget to fasten your seat belt.

Now, let's get this race underway. Fortunately, it looks like we'll have some AI opponents to contend with as well.

？！

Oh, is that what we're doing here?

... ...

Well, if this is what you came up with, Fathers, I'm not going to refuse. Let's make the most of it.

As the odd one out, I'll be the race queenprince?livening the course up from the sidelines.

Good luck, everyone. Have fun out there.

So this is my seat? There we go.

This is closer to the ground than I thought, which is kind of exciting. The seats are a bit cramped, though... (Fidgeting)

？！

I-I know that. I don't mind, especially.

All right, let's get started then! If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do my best to win!

Why were you attacking the corners like that, Mustache Father!? How immature!

Once you take hold of a steering wheel, that's when the race begins. There's no holding back, even against a child. Wahaha.

Hmph.

？！

Well, I didn't mind how you know you'll get to the goal as long as you follow the course.

Simple rules like that are the same thing I like about sugoroku gam

I mean... Ahem. I'm not going to tell you my thoughts. All that matters is your score, as usual.

Ulp.

Wahaha, that's the best score we've gotten on this trial yet! It looks like you're starting to appreciate the sophistication this hobby has to offer!

(This time, Kazuradrop didn't seem especially happy during the trial.)

(So the fact that we still got such a good score must mean)

What are you grinning about, insects?

Yes, this score means you got closer to being perfect fathers, which is fine...

...but it's still not a hundred, which means you've still got a long, long way to go!

So don't get too full of yourselves, got that!? All right, I'll see you at the next checkpoint!

I see.

I see.

？！

I hope I was helpful.

Although... Going on an outing, huh.

I'd like to take my boys somewhere in the simulator if we get the chance.

But in our situation, I don't know if that's feasible.

？！

I appreciate that, Master.

But it was my boys' advice that helped you out. I don't think I did much of anything.

So I'd like to at least say this before I go.

...Just give me a moment to send my boys back. It's a little embarrassing to say this in front of them.

Go on, boys. You did well. Now it's time to rest.

You want to spar with me? Sure, we can do that later. You want to ride the ox? Yes, that's fine. Hmm...

Ahem. Thank you for waiting.

Now then. Master, I am under no delusions that I was a perfect father.

But, if such a father truly does exist...

...there is one trait he simply must possess.

If nothing else, I can proudly say I do have this quality myself.

？！

Love for one's children.

One simply cannot be a perfect father without that love.

It may be obvious, but as a father myself, I thought I should at least make sure that was unambiguously clear.

？！

Well said. Then until we meet again!