Lostbelt 1 Summary: Section 21 (PART 2)

Section 21: The Thunder Emperor Reigns (Part 2)



---The giant’s fist was raised with a bellow, and plunged right into the mountain’s skin.

The Thunder Emperor howls. His trunk stretches upwards, and lightning falls from the heavens.

The lightning crushes the giant’s skin and muscle--- the aftereffects of the strike blows away the empty buildings.

As if being rewound in time, the giant’s damaged parts fill back.

And the Thunder Emperor does not have a single wound on him in the first place.

Afterwards, the Yaga who witnessed this battle talked of it.

It was a battle from the Age of Gods, a battle from Genesis--- something that should not be witnessed by others.


===


Kadoc grumbles. Even though he knew it, Ivan is still far too strong. However, these are all the trump cards that he has. Be it from enemies, allies, or the dead.


Kadoc:
Perhaps if Amadeus could have held on for a little longer…? No, I’ve already done everything as fast as I can.
What is left here is just to win. There’s nothing else to it.
I should be able to win too…!



Anastasia uses her Noble Phantasms, Sumerki Kremlin and Viy. Meanwhile, Beowulf’s attacks are doing nothing against the beast’s tough hide. Even Atalante aiming for the eyes does nothing. Kadoc mutters that Ivan is stronger than expected. If he could get his hands on the Extraordinary Authority things could turn around, but rather than that, there’s something else he has in mind.



Kadoc:
Macarius! You’re probably grinning and watching from somewhere, aren’t you, Macarius!


The priest appears.


Priest:
You are slandering my reputation. I would prefer if you called it watching over my charges as a supervisor.
Well? If you have called for me, does that mean you have finally contrived to escape Russia?
Do you have no other plans?



Kadoc:
I do. It’s you.
…You must be holding onto something, aren’t you? I know that you’re hiding something from Anastasia.
If it’s a trump card, show it. Firstly, it’s not the time to be pretending this is none of your business.


Priest:
That is true.
Anastasia and I can no longer be spared from the Tsar’s wrath.
So here, I will play a hand that will be of assistance. He may be mediocre compared to Amadeus.
But it is for that reason he staked his life on reaching the realm of genius where Amadeus resides.
Rather, he reached a realm close to emotion only possible for commoners, a place where a genius could never tread.
Kadoc. Your idea of lulling the Tsar to sleep with Amadeus’s music was a good one.
However, it does not resolve the problem at the fundamental level. You should learn how to better influence the hearts of men.



Kadoc:
…Is that so. Thanks for the advice. So, what sort of tasteless card do you have in your hand?



Priest:
A delusion with nowhere to go can be struck by a delusion which cannot be saved.
If it is calmed, then salvation is possible--- an easy misunderstanding to make, just like how one might think they can accomplish their goals if only they had the talent.


The priest’s words strike Kadoc hard, and he grimaces.


Priest:
There is no need for talent nor repentance. It is time to emerge from your cocoon, Kapellmeister.
This is the time to roar. Kadoc, too, should correct that misunderstanding.


In the palace, Salieri laments his inability to play. He does not think that he can control the infuriated Tsar with his music. He does not think that he has the skill for it.


Salieri:
It is impossible! I know myself well!
I know my own skill! I cannot do it! I cannot play it!
I---- I cannot reach you.



[---That’s no good, even so you must play]



Salieri:
Shut up!
What can a genius like you know! What can someone like you, beloved by the Muses, know!
I am! I’m! I! Am the Salieri born from the intent to kill you!
Musical instruments are utter rubbish! I’ve forgotten all the practice I had in life!



[---That’s no good, even so you must play. If you do not, the world cannot be saved.]



Salieri:
…The world… An avenger like me is…



He growls in frustration.



Salieri:
I cannot make a sound that reverberates in the heart like you do.


[---I know that]


Salieri:
I cannot move the hearts of men like he did.


[---That’s only natural.]


Salieri:
Aah, but… Amadeus of my delusions, nesting in mine own heart.
I know. I know of your darkness.
I know that you covered your face all alone in the darkened concert halls!
You did not see us. You did not see the commonfolk. You did not see humans. Of course you didn’t.
After all, you had no choice but to battle “something” within you!
You loved music more than the devil within you. Whatever the demon who snatched you away may be, you loved the music that men made!
But--- music, society, the works of men, none of these saved you.
And you--- if even after becoming a Heroic Spirit, you can continue to play the piano in such high spirits---
Even if shamed, even if mocked.
…I must play. I have a reason for it.



[---That is right, yes. In the first place, why worry about your skill with the piano.]

[See. No matter who it is, they suck compared to me after all.]



Salieri:
That is how it is, Amadeus!
I got it. Let’s play, then let me play!
Natural talent is but something of chance that’s not in the textbooks!
I will chase after you with the compilation of all the techniques and skills built up from myriad musicians!



Salieri begins to play a calming, gentle music.



Salieri:
How’s this! How do you like this! Has my skill reached you!?
…This is wrong.
This is no good, this isn’t it! I will never catch up to you with only this!



[---You should just play as you feel]



Salieri:
…As I feel, eh. What constitutes my self is grief, anger, and the desire to kill you.
Am I to strike the keys just as I feel, with these emotions!?
…Like this!
Anger! Rage! I’ll kill you! These regrets, this frustration, this passion!
Witness my wrath, Amadeus!



[That is it]

[In that form, you need no skill. Let your irrational wrath resound]

[Just let your fingers strike the keys, my comrade!]


Salieri:
You’re noisy! Just shut up and listen!
What do you mean, comrade! I, the path I walk is different!



As he plays, Salieri’s form ascends. The music can be heard even out in the streets. Beowulf identifies the song as Dies Irae, the Day of Wrath. He calls it a tune played with no skill, merely that of wrath and despair smashed down upon the piano keys. Which is why it resonates with the heart. At least, it does with the Tsar’s.



Ivan the Terrible:
This music… this anger… stop! Do not bind my heart!


Guda:
…You’re wide open!


You direct the golem to take this chance and attack. On the ground, Kadoc remarks that Salieri’s Saint Graph and Noble Phantasm have increased in strength. He is quite disbelieving that anger can increase a Servant’s abilities.


Priest:
It can. As long as it is not something temporary and superficial, but a feeling that becomes the core of that person.
It is as if their skin has been peeled off. That cry is the true essence of Antonio Salieri.
Because he regarded Amadeus more highly than anyone else, he hated, feared, and pitied him.
He continued to hate the masses who did not understand that genius, saying “they are all fools, each and every one of them!”
What sets him aflame is himself, Amadeus, and the era that gave birth to their relationship.
Avenger, Antonio Salieri. The Man in Gray. The entirety of that life surely fills this melody that we hear now.


Salieri continues to play in anger.


Salieri:
Here, listen, Tsar! Ivan the Terrible! Sorrowful Yaga, wrathful Yaga!
You turned from the side which pruned to the side which was pruned! You must be angry, but that is unreasonable!
In order to obtain that gargantuan body, you have taken in the blood of tens of thousands of magical beasts, and continued your acts of tyranny!
Your Oprichniki were allowed to run wild and continued to kill the Yaga!
It was all to survive, you said.
But!
Your existence itself has already become a grave sin…!



Ivan roars, battling against Salieri’s attempt to interfere with his mind. He attempts to destroy the hideous art and attacks his own palace with lightning. The walls of the chamber are blown away, exposing Salieri to the cold. Your Servants tell you that there will be no better chance than to defeat Ivan now.


===


Even so, the Thunder Emperor remains standing.


Beowulf:
Shit, we don’t have enough to checkmate him! On top of that, we’re too far from the palace!


Anastasia:
This is… the obsession of four hundred and fifty years…!


Ivan roars once more.


Ivan the Terrible:
Holy! Holy! Holy! There is not a single shade of doubt in mine heart!
Those who would dare disturb it shall not be forgiven!


Lightning begins to gather around Ivan’s trunk.


Guda:
Salieri-san! Get out of there!


Salieri:
No, if I leave now, Ivan the Terrible will regain his strength!
There is no way I could leave! Not to mention that this is the only piano in this world!
Until I die--- no. Even if I die, I will continue to play in anger!
My anger, mine rage, and--- Amadeus’s wrath!


Ivan the Terrible:
Disappear, musician!


You try to turn the golem around to cover for Salieri, ordering it to grapple the Thunder Emperor once more.


Ivan the Terrible:
Damnable stone giant, for the likes of you to stand in my way… it is preposterous that someone other than myself is protecting my own palace!
Unforgivable. This is unforgivable, you impudent wretches…! Return to the earth from whence you came!
Lightning runs through my blood, my trunk summons the storm!


The chirping of electricity grows in intensity.


Atalante Alter:
This is bad, Guda! A storm has begun to swirl around the tip of the trunk which is pointed at the sky!
That is a Divine Spirit-class lightning strike! Even if the golem can withstand it, the rest of us can’t!
You, and the palace behind you, all of it will be destroyed! Pull the golem back, there’s no point in dying here!


Guda:
But…!


Just then, Holmes arrives in the Border, making it just in time thanks to the driver’s brilliant technique. Holmes tells you that it’s too early to give up, and to have the golem stay in position. Right now, they are launching their last combatant.


Guda:
---Mashu!?


===


Suddenly, I remembered the Time Temple.

That intense light which made me strongly aware of my end, and that same light which told me where my life belonged.

The moment that I raised my shield and stepped forward.

At that time, I stepped forward because I felt that is what I had to do.

Rather than fear, there was pride, and there was a loneliness that seeped into my chest.

Even if we were victorious, the thought that I would no longer be in his future made me a little sad.

But this time, it is different. There is no pride, no certainty that this is what I have to do.

And as I worried, rather than sorrow, there was fear.

I worried if I was in the right. If our actions were not but a cruel proclamation of victory.


Mashu Kyrielight:
Aah, but---


I know it is even more shameful to let go just because I’m scared, just because I don’t understand.

If everything is equally right, then I will act for the sake of what I do not want to lose.

For the sake of what Mashu Kyrielight desired to grasp, on that journey which granted her life, once more---

---Once more, please entrust this shield to me, Heroic Spirit Galahad…!


===


Da Vinci tells Mashu that they are almost at the launch point, and asks if she’s prepared. Mashu replies that she is ready for combat. Da Vinci reminds her that she does not have her original Saint Graph, and cannot use the skills that originated from Galahad. Those lacking parts have been compensated for by Orthenaus. As the adjustment is perfect, Da Vinci tells Mashu there’s nothing to worry about. However, the important, final adjustments must be made by Mashu herself.


Mashu:
Final adjustments… what should I do about that?


Da Vinci:
The answer’s a given. It’s the proof of a Heroic Spirit. When you awaken your Noble Phantasm, you will become a new you.
Not Galahad’s Noble Phantasm.
But when you fill this shield with all that has nurtured you thus far.
---All that I have---


Holmes barges in, marvelling about the wondrous driving technique that got them to their destination in time. They’re now about 700 metres away from the golem.


Holmes:
The electromagnetic catapult on the deck has been deployed, and we will reach the launch point in 30 seconds! Hurry!


Da Vinci:
We’ll stop our talk here, Mashu. This is fine, right?


Mashu:
---Yes. No matter how much I worry, I can’t find a convincing answer.
But even so I am Guda’s… Chaldea’s Servant.
What I can do now is to not abandon the trust that has been placed in me!


Da Vinci:
That’s right. Then, go! Shadow Border, opening hatch!
Shielder Armored! Sally forth, towards the throne room of the Russian palace!


Meanwhile, the Thunder Emperor has about finished gathering his lightning to wipe out his enemies. Beowulf tells Musashi to take you and run. She seems unhappy about it. An intermittent communication opens up, asking if anyone can hear them.


Beowulf:
Musashi, do you care for taking Ivan’s head more than that guy’s life! Hurry and go!


Musashi:
…Grr…..!
Sorry, Guda! Let’s give up on victory! I’ll take you and run!


Guda:
---We still have a chance to win!


Ivan shoots his lightning. But the torrent of light is stopped and dispersed, to Musashi, Beowulf and Ivan’s surprise.


Mashu:
Senpaaaaaaaaaaaiiiii!!!


Guda:
---You came, Mashu!


Mashu:
Yes! I-I made it! I’m very sorry for making you wait!
Mashu Kyrielight will return to the frontline henceforth!


Ivan the Terrible:
A new Servant…!? Meaningless, be blown away with the rest!!


Meuniere detects Ivan’s mana rising again. His objective has not changed – to blow away the palace and Salieri with it.


Mashu:
Everyone, don’t worry…! Please leave that lightning strike to me…!


Salieri:
Don’t… Don’t say stupid things, you sweet girl! What can you do with that single shield of yours!
Don’t mind me, the golem should escape too! I’ll withstand this, you’ll see! Quickly, get lost!


Mashu:
No--- No!
Please, do focus on your wonderful performance, Mister Salieri!


Salieri:
(Muu! She said wonderful---! No wait, I can’t forget my anger!)
Thank you, but, is it really alright!? Can you really defend against that lightning!?


Mashu:
---Yes, I can! This is the sort of journey we’ve been through after all!
Even if I am still immature, this truth remains unchanged.
We’ve overcome the Incineration of the Human Order, the King of Magic, that King Solomon, in order to be standing here!
This mere level of violence is something I can lightly shrug off as you see!


Salieri inwardly marvels at her strength. Meanwhile, Mashu faces the Thunder Emperor once more.


Mashu:
My shield is heavy, and uncertainty yet present in my heart.
However, I can hear that voice. That alone is something even I can understand.
…Senpai. Yes--- I’ve heard you loud and clear.


Guda:
I believe in Mashu Kyrielight.


Mashu smiles.


Mashu:
Yes!


Ivan fires his next blast, and Mashu takes it upon her shield.


---In that instant.

Something happened, even if it was just for a brief moment. As if gears had meshed together with a clicking noise.

The heavy shield shines. The epiphany that rose up in the mind spills from the lips.

[---There is no castle that lasts forever, Mashu.]

[If there was, it would be the state of mind which will resurge. In that form which stands tall even if withered away, eternity can be seen.]


Mashu:
True Name, Frozen Deployment.
This is the castle of fantasy which has received many paths and many wishes.
Please answer, [Mold Camelot]…!


Mashu successfully repels the lightning. Jubilantly, a Chaldea staff-member reports that both you and Mashu are alright, and that Salieri is continuing to perform.


Salieri:
You are alright, girl. Since you are, then please let me sign that shield of yours later.


Mashu:
Yes, I’m fine… and signing the shield would be a bit too…


She staggers.


Salieri:
Are you okay!?


Mashu:
I’m… alright. I can still do it!
Now, focus on Ivan the Terrible…!


Ivan shouts.


Ivan the Terrible:
Just now, that light just now was certainly the light of the angel who brings peace!
Macarius, ooh, my priest, did you see! Holy of Holies, in front of mine eyes, the angel has descended!
If I have it, if I get my hands on it…! That light will truly be the cornerstone of my Russia!


Ivan swings down his trunk to capture Mashu.



Musashi:
---Here comes victory. You have lost your protection of lightning, giant tengu.


But Musashi has appeared before Mashu before anyone realized it. Her presence gives Ivan pause, as he realizes she is not a Servant, but someone not from Panhuman History, like him.


Ivan the Terrible:
Incomprehensible. Why is someone alike to us, pointing her blade at us!?


Musashi:
Hm? Well, I don’t have any elephant acquaintances, and Guda-kun’s enemies are my enemies, of course?
Besides, this is the crucial moment, the fateful Sekigahara! If I don’t show off the ultimate technique I learnt from the swordsmaster showdowns here, when else can I display its charm!
---Tsar of Roshiya, farewell and goodbye! I will let you set eyes on that grumpy Buddha’s face!


Musashi begins to glow. The causation principles of manifestations has begun to sway. This is probably her last strike in this Lostbelt. Musashi thinks to herself that she’s the same as Ivan and the Yaga – something that must vanish. Although she’d wanted to remain neutral, she has finally found the reason why she continues to journey. She still hasn’t had enough.


Musashi:
(Yeah, it’s all clear now thanks to you, Thunder Emperor. I--- still have things I have yet to cut…!)
GO, ROARING BLADE DRAW!
ISHANA DAITENSHOU! !


Musashi cleaves Ivan’s trunk right into two halves. At the same time, she vanishes herself, forcibly flung into another world. Holmes tells you not to mind that now – this is your best chance.


Guda:
Yes! Golem Keter Malkuth---
Grab Ivan the Terrible’s crown…!


You direct the golem to grab Ivan’s true body, atop the mammoth. He resists by pelting the golem with lightning, but you endure.


Guda:
It’s alright, I can still do this!


There are squelching noises and then a spray of blood as the golem successfully completes its task. You fall from it, Mashu shouting out for you.


Guda:
Mashu! I’m counting on you to catch me!


Mashu:
Yes!


You land in her arms safe and sound. Meanwhile, Ivan’s vast bulk has ceased to move. At the same time, the golem is falling apart, its job done. Da Vinci panickedly asks where you are and Holmes calmly replies that Mashu has bailed you out.


Mashu:
We did it, Master! The enemy giant magical beast has completely fallen silent!


Guda:
Yeah. Mashu was really cool too.


She goes red.


Mashu:
Ah… yes. Thank you very much…
N-No, the fight still continues! We’ve only plucked out the crown!


Salieri:
That’s right. Look at the ground. Ivan the Terrible still lives.
…That thing is scary precisely because it’s not a Servant.
The pinnacle of the Yaga. No, the pinnacle of a mankind that has struggled to survive.
That man was a tyrant who misruled his country… but if you set that one point aside, he is undeniably a great hero.
…Now, let us go. Master of Chaldea.
You have a duty to answer that man’s final question.