Lostbelt 1 Summary: Section 19 (PART 2)

Section 19: Patsy’s Choice (Part 2)



Atalante is feeling pathetic over being spared. One of the rebels snarls at how despicable the enemy were for using children as hostages. Atalante was unable to refuse when they played that card. While Atalante is depressed that the rebels are done for and that there is no longer any way for them to fight the Tsar, someone tells her not to sigh.

It is Kadoc.


Kadoc:
To think you’d actually make such a mess of Russia.


Atalante Alter:
You’re--- the summoned mage, the Crypter!


Atalante slams against the bars of her prison, but they do not give.


Kadoc:
Best to stop it. That’s a “cage” for Servants constructed using Command Spell technology.
It can’t be destroyed with your anti-magic resistance.


Atalante snorts, remarking that Kadoc is that wary of her. She asks if it is time for the execution. That is not the case, Kadoc claims. He’s actually here to recruit her.


Atalante Alter:
---Your head, is it stuffed with cotton?


Kadoc:
No, I’m entirely serious. Very much so.


Atalante Alter:
As long as you have joined hands with the Thunder Emperor, you and I can be nothing but enemies!


Kadoc:
---I’m not with him.


Atalante Alter:
What?

Kadoc:
It’s not like I’m actually teamed up with the Tsar. As proof of that, the Oprichniki are not here at the moment, right?

Atalante Alter:
…!?


Kadoc:
I wish to negotiate with you.


Atalante Alter:
Negotiate…?


Kadoc:
Yes.
…I want to defeat the Tsar. Lend me your strength towards that end.
And then, there is one other opponent I must defeat.
…It’s Chaldea. You absolutely have to defeat Chaldea.
All in order to protect this world that has been discarded.


Atalante Alter:
That’s…


Salieri:
…so that’s how you're playing it.


Kadoc:
You must have begun to realize it too.
Even though you were originally a Servant of Panhuman History, you’ve become quite grounded on this side, haven’t you?
This Lostbelt is a remnant of history. Do you have any idea what kind of resolution your actions will bring about?


Atalante asks him for more details. Kadoc gladly answers. He speaks not only to Atalante, but all the rebel Yaga captured here: he wishes to establish a partnership with them. After all, their aims are one and the same.


===


After finishing negotiations, Kadoc thinks to himself.


Kadoc:
(…With this, another element has been gathered)
(My Caster. Atalante and the rebel army)
(Salieri. And above all, Avicebron)
(Chaldea. Mashu Kyrielight.)
(….Guda)
(I… I will… I will surpass you, all of you…)
(And with that, I’ll finally be at the starting line)


===


Since Avicebron is not here, you can’t travel by golems anymore. Holmes tells you that he’ll be bringing the Shadow Border around for transportation purposes. Under these circumstances, they can’t keep hiding away in a faraway spot forever. Gordolf immediately raises a cry of objection at this notion.


Holmes:
The stage where we hide ourselves in a hole and survey our surroundings is past, Mr. Gordolf.
From here on out, we must bear some risk too. Just as Mister Guda does on the frontlines.


Holmes addresses everyone in the command room as well as elsewhere in the vehicle. The Shadow Border is about to cross the Russian country. Along the way, it is quite conceivable that there will be battles against magical beasts or Oprichniki, and so there will be danger involved.


Mashu:
Yes…! Mashu Kyrielight has no objections.


Meuniere:
Sigh. So it’s finally time for real combat… Well, the accelerator is going to rust if it’s not used anyway.
Of course, I, Jeancle Abel Meuniere[1] , agree. All of the staff in the vehicle are in assent too.


Da Vinci:
As Technical Consultant and the Central Computer while the Border is on the move, I’m in agreement too. Oh? So it looks like the only one who doesn’t is…
Is it that lordly elite over there who’s sitting in the biggest chair of all?
You’re a prestigious mage of the Clock Tower who came from the Faculty of Law, right? Then you should have military experience.
But even so, you’re saying that you’re afraid of a battlefield with bullets flying around?


Gordolf:
I-I’m not afraid! I’m just prioritizing the safety of this Shadow Border!
After all, this is humanity’s last fortress! I have a duty to protect this ship!


Holmes:
Even if the Border alone is kept safe, the world will end anyway. What is important is what this last fortress of man will fight, no?


Gordolf:
Grr… grrrrrrr!
Eii, I got it, I get what you mean! But it’s not like there’s no danger, right!?
There could be scary incidents like this command room getting hit by enemy fire!


Holmes:
Trust in the technique of Mr. Meuniere and I for such occasions.
If it will ease your fears, we can already clear 10 rounds out of a 100 in the highest difficulty of the simulation course.


Gordolf:
Why, that super difficult course which I’ve only managed to clear not more than 5 times myself!? That’s really amazing!


Meuniere:
Uh. Old man, you did it alone…!? That’s something like the Safari Rally, y’know!?


Gordolf:
Muuu… fine, it looks like I have no choice but to give my permission! That’s because it takes someone who’s first-class to know another!
But if I feel even the slightest bit of danger, we’re retreating! That’s my authority as the commander!



Holmes:

Acknowledged, new Director Gordolf.

Well then, Miss Kyrielight, contact Mister Guda.

The Shadow Border will now proceed to rendezvous with Master Guda!


===


And that is what Mashu tells you. She asks you to stay tight and wait for them to arrive. Musashi asks if that was the Mashu that you spoke about before, and why as a Servant, Mashu isn’t by your side. You explain it to her.


Musashi:
Hm, hm, hmhm. I see, I see…
Alright, got it! Leave it to onee-san!


===


The Border arrives where you are.


Mashu:
Master, everyone! Sorry for the wait!
Please do get on!


After boarding the Border, Beowulf and Billy are amazed at it. Beowulf is impressed at how it’s so much faster than horses, while Billy says it makes him feel like standing up on the deck and shouting out loud. He says the Border is closer to being a landship than a car. Holmes agrees, saying that this feeling of trampling across the wilderness is the best. Although he doesn’t recommend going up on deck: at this speed and temperature, even a Servant might freeze up. Da Vinci says it would be fine if they went into spirit form. Of course, they wouldn’t be able to feel the wind that way.


Gordolf:
How noisy… that’s why I don’t like these rough and uncouth Heroic Spirits. Does Chaldea not have any Servants with more dignity!


Holmes:
That is something for your expectations in the coming travels, new director. Ah, how about that Imperial Princess? Glasses would be fitting on her, I think?


Gordolf:
Don’t bring up such a scary choice!? What’d we do with that girl who has an ice devil as her familiar!?
Actually, just seeing her face makes my balls shrivel up, okay!?


Meuniere:
Looks like it’s become a traumatic memory… I’m scared of that princess too.


Holmes:
But you can’t remain scared forever.
In order to break through this Russia, we cannot avoid dealing with the princess Anastasia. Isn’t that right, Mister---
Oh? Where did Mister Guda go?


You are back in your room with Mashu and Musashi. Mashu thanks you and Fou for your hard work, and returns Musashi’s greeting. It’s the first time they’ve met face to face. Musashi draws closer to Mashu.


Musashi:
Oho, hm, hm. Hm. Mumu? Mumumu!?


Mashu:
Um, what’s…?


Musashi:
There’s a stiffness in your shoulders and thighs, yeah? Are you doing something?


Mashu:
N-No! I’m not doing any special training…!


Musashi:
Hm, I see, I see. Looks like there’s no need to worry about the body. Then, it’s a matter of the heart.


Mashu:
…!


Musashi steps away.


Musashi:
Hey, can we talk later?
There’s many things I wanna ask you, a lot of them!
Like, for example, Guda-kun’s private life? Oh dear!


Guda:
What are you planning to ask!?


Mashu:
I-I can’t answer anything about his private matters!


Fou:
Fou fou.


===


Night turns to day. You’ve arrived at the fort where Atalante and Salieri were supposedly being kept. Mashu has stepped outside the Shadow Border for the first time in a while. Holmes had given her permission as long as she didn’t stray far from the Border.
Billy doesn’t detect anybody’s presence in the fort. Neither does Musashi. The Border’s instruments aren’t picking anything up either. Although a Servant’s presence could be concealed, it’s strange for the place to be completely abandoned. Beowulf wants to attack, as a siege is best handled with a quick, decisive battle, and Holmes tells him to go ahead. With a single blow, Beowulf sends the gates flying. As expected, there’s no one inside the fort after all.
Searching the interior, Patsy picks up the scent of Atalante and Salieri. It looks like they were moved three days ago. Mashu is amazed that he can tell that much from just the smell. Patsy asks if your noses are stuffed, and Billy replies that the old breed of humans don’t have noses like the Yaga. Beowulf picks up a message that’s been left behind by Kadoc. Mashu takes a look at it.


Mashu:
There’s no mistake, this is Kadoc-san’s handwriting.
I’ve seen Kadoc-san’s magical treatises several times and remember it well.
…It seems that Atalante-san and Salieri-san are to be executed at the capital, Yaga Moskva.
The date is--- five days later.


You’ll still be able to make it if there’s five days’ grace. Though there’s the problem of the Oprichniki, arriving at the capital is no problem. Patsy exclaims that it must be a trap. Mashu points out that your plan calls for a diversion followed by a quick battle in the first place, so there’s no other choice. Furthermore, you’ll need more Servants, even if it is only one more. Atalante is strong in fighting armies so her aid will be invaluable. Mashu’d also like to have Avicebron around with his golems, if possible.

Billy wonders where Avicebron is, if he wasn’t imprisoned with Atalante. Mashu asks Patsy if he can pick up Avicebron’s smell. Patsy replies that the smell of earth and stone is strong with Avicebron, so it’s hard to tell. His mask also conceals the smell of his original flesh. Beowulf was looking forward to meeting the legendary golem master and is slightly disappointed.


Beowulf:
Right, there’s nothing else to do here. Master.
All that’s left is to choose. Will you go to the capital? Or will you not?
…Which is it?


Guda:
Let’s fight.


Beowulf:
…Billy and I. And Miyamoto Musashi, as well.
The three of us will head to the capital, and there the three of us will fight.
If we’re lucky, we’ll meet up with Avicebron and manage to rescue Atalante.
And that’ll make five…


Mashu:
U-Uh. I’ll fight along with everyone too, if it comes down to it. If it’s in a defending role, I can at least-


Beowulf:
It’s no good. As you are now, missy, you won’t be able to help in a fight. You’d only end up being a burden, a disadvantage in battle.
Listen here, missy. This world has already become a place where you live or you die.
Standing on the battlefield with only ”because I just want to fight” as your reason means you won’t be able to get anything done at all.


Mashu:
That’s…


Beowulf:
….Hm. The enemy are the Oprichniki, the Minotaurus.
The two mysterious Servants that are the Priest and Koyanskaya, as well as the Imperial Princess Anastasia and the Thunder Emperor Ivan.
And there’s also---


Guda:
Kadoc Zemlupus.


Mashu:
Yes. One of the seven Crypters.
…They will surely be lying in wait for us.


Beowulf:
It’s not like I have any intentions of losing a fight against anyone, but Ivan the Terrible is a monster that has ruled this world for four hundred and fifty years.
I can’t tell if I’ll win or lose before I see him.


Patsy:
…You’ll regret that, for sure.
…Well, it’s up to you all if you want to die, but what about Guda?
I know it myself. He’s… well, how do I say it.
Different?
He should be a weakling who can’t even kill a magical beast by himself!
Guda! What about you?


Guda:
I want to do my best.


Patsy:
The best… huh. Then, tell me what’s the best way.


Patsy comes closer, his gun aimed at you as he shouts out “Don’t move!”. Billy and Musashi ready their weapons silently. Beowulf tells them to stop. Patsy tells them that he wants to talk with you, alone. Holmes readily agrees, surprising Mashu, but Holmes seems certain you won’t be harmed. He asks Billy and Musashi to calm down, saying that it’s just a private talk.


Mashu:
…I understand. We will step out of the prison for now.
We’ll be waiting until you finish your conversation.


The Servants leave. Holmes also cuts the communications off, to Da Vinci’s protest.


Patsy:
Now there’s only two people here.
…Ah, you might be a bit reluctant about that, huh. To count a Yaga as a “person”.
The Servants who protect you are no longer here too.


Guda:
Yeah.


Patsy:
Killing you would be easier than killing a magical beast.
I wouldn’t even need to use this gun.
I’ve heard that the old breed have necks that easily snap, and will die just from that.


Guda:
Yeah.


Patsy:
If your arteries are cut you’ll die, if anything nests inside your organs you’ll die.
You can’t withstand this cold. If you’re stripped of that jacket, you’ll die, wouldn’t you!?


Guda:
I think I would.


Patsy:
We Yaga wouldn’t die from that.
This weather’s just a bit chilly to us.
As long as our heads aren’t completely cut off we won’t die, and we won’t die from this “infection” thing that used to kill off the old breed either.
I’m stronger than you. The Yaga are stronger than the old breed.
But still. Still, why, do you---
Why do you keep on smiling?


Guda:
I’m smiling?


Patsy:
Yeah, you’re constantly smiling.
Even when you’re down, even when you’re angry, I can see that in the depths of your heart it’s like you’re always smiling for some reason!
I don’t understand that. After all, this world has nothing but suffering.
I’ve never had the luxury to smile. I’ve never had anything happen worth smiling about.
At best I can only get dead drunk on vodka, because I’ve never once been able to smile from the bottom of my heart…!
Hey, Guda. Your world---
Is it that happy?


Guda:
I personally think it is.


Patsy:
…I see.
…I finally get it.
I finally get why I wanted to follow you even if I were to be killed.
I… want to make you despair.
I want you to curse this cruel world. I want you to lament your fragile flesh.
I want you to curse that you are weak…!


Guda:
I can’t do that.


Patsy:
Ah, but---
You’ll definitely change your tune when you encounter Ivan the Terrible.
…I’ve changed my mind. I don’t care what happens anymore. I don’t care about the rebel army and the Thunder Emperor anymore.
I won’t kill. I won’t kill you.
In return… I’ll see you in despair. I’ll see you crawling on your hands and knees.
---I won’t allow your happiness. That’s something we can never have.


Guda:
You coming along?


Patsy:
…If you tell me not to come, I’ll still follow on my own.
You aren’t going to kill me anyway, right? Ah, it’s find to talk about this to everyone.
Besides, Holmes must be eavesdropping on us, eh? …He is, right?


He pauses and waits. Nothing happens.


Guda:
…Uh, he really isn’t?


Patsy:
No, no. That guy’s got a nasty personality so he definitely would!


You leave the prison with Patsy. Holmes re-establishes communications there, remarking that it was unexpectedly brief. You ask if he eavesdropped.


Holmes:
Hahaha, I would not do such a thing. An English gentleman keeps his word.


Billy:
So, what’s with that fuss just now? I think there’s enough reason for me to be pulling out my gun.


Guda:
It’s alright.


Billy:
…Is it really?


Musashi:
Hmm. Well, if Guda-kun’s fine with it, then it’s fine.
I won’t do anything. Of course, there won’t be a next time.


Patsy says that she’s right, and that she can rest assured there won’t be a next time.


Da Vinci:
Setting aside Holmes’s fake English gentleman act, we really didn’t eavesdrop on your conversation.


Patsy:
Seriously.


Gordolf:
It’s true. He was even elegantly sipping tea, that damned decadent detective!


Holmes:
It is important to spend time in a calm and relaxing manner.
After all, being crammed into the Shadow Border under continuing, extreme conditions exerts quite the pressure on the spirit.
Although the staff of Chaldea will no longer succumb to despair after all they’ve been through--- what about our new director?



Gordolf:
Hah, don’t underestimate me, Servant! Wanting to die is a daily thing for me!
This time, if I think about it rationally, it’s a complete, massive loss, and no matter what I’m ruined…
Oh no, I felt like I wanted to die for just a while there.
But be as it may, our tea supplies are limited. We can’t expect any tea here in Russia…


Da Vinci:
That’s a quick recovery…


Patsy snorts and says it’s time to go. It’s time to set out towards the capital. Mashu is surprised that he’s coming along. Patsy says you’re fine with it, and you agree. Billy is alright with it if you’re alright with it.


Mashu:
Understood. But, as someone who’s been travelling with us until now, I’d just like to say one thing to you, please.
Patsy-san, please don’t do anything like what you did just now a second time.
Do not use Senpai to threaten us. It’s for Patsy-san’s own safety.


Patsy:
…You…
…Yeah, yeah. I know, I know.
Well, there’s no longer any need for that.


Mashu:
…?


Patsy changes the topic and says the capital will take a few days to reach. Holmes says that you should use the Shadow Border to approach it as much as possible. Beowulf says that bicorns can be used for travel the rest of the way. Mashu seems rather excited when hearing about the bicorns.


Beowulf:
Yeah. It’s those bicorns. Well then, Guda, can you ride them?


Guda:
Seems like I can.


Mashu:
Master, could it be that you secretly practiced after falling off your horse in Rome?


Billy:
Heh, is that so. Great, then I’ll leave one to you!


Musashi:
Of course, I’ll have no problems with it at all. I’ve ridden horses before when travelling across America.


Holmes:
Very well, all aboard, then! We are finally headed to the heart of Russia---
We will attack that place over which the great tree towers, the capital, Yaga Moskva!

===

[1] Jeancle Abel Meuniere (ジングル アベル ムニエル) is more literally "Jingle Abel Meuniere". It might be a Jingle Bells joke, but for now I'll try to keep his name as French as possible until we get confirmation that it is Jingle (damn you Nasu.)