森の中

Dr. Roman:

Hm? Are you outside the building? It looks like you’re still on the grounds, though…

You’re supposed to be exploring the building, Gudao-kun. There’s nothing out-

[image dissolves in static]

Dr. Roman:

Mm, the connection’s bad. There’s a strange magnetic field——my display——frozen——

Mash:

Senpai, our connection to the Doctor cut off!

I think it’s due to the unstable spiritron readings here, rather than equipment failure…

Um, Senpai? What are we doing here? As the Doctor said, we should be investigating the inside of the apartments.

Ryougi Shiki:

Nah. Gudao’s instincts are right on. We’re in the right place.

Mash:

Shiki-san?

Ryougi Shiki:

…Something weird’s here. Come on out. If you’re going to keep hiding, then do something about that killing aura.

???:

I bear no such aura. I embrace nothing but pure, seething rage.

Mash:

A S-Servant!? But… I can’t see… I can’t see him, Master!

He’s right in front of us, but shrouded in darkness…

That’s no residual Saint Graph. He isn’t a shadow Servant!

And yet, Saber, Lancer, Archer… He doesn’t fall under any of the seven classes!

So, a Ruler!?

???:

Your guess was as far as possible from the mark. I take it as a challenge.

Who the hell are you people, anyway? Your actions make no sense, wandering around and killing the spirits of the dead.

They achieved nothing from life, and satisfied none of their regrets in death. They are failures who chose nothingness. They were ignored in life, and abandoned in death.

…Yes, a horde of nameless, formless monsters. May peace find these souls with neither final rites nor destinations.

If Hell rejects them, then a new hell shall be made. They must fill this tower with their screams of agony.

That is the raison d’être I’ve placed my faith in. O Light, obstruct not my base endeavor.

[The figure fades away. Something else appears, and screams.]

???:

——

——–

Fou:

Foh, foh, fooooh!

Mash:

Fou-san is more agitated than he’s ever been! I don’t think that’s an ordinary ghost!

Mephisto:

Ahh… this won’t do. It simply will not do, my Master, Gudao.

That is an Innocent Monster with super regeneration, super endurance, and super skills. You could call it the final form of a being overcome with resentment for humans.

In the world of magic, there is this creature called “Murder” or something or other that is guaranteed to massacre primates alone…

This thing has begun to enter that realm. It is no simple, nameless ghost fodder.

How unfortunate. Faced with my Master’s annihilation, I believe my wish is at its end. I mean, just look at it!

We really are going to be wiped out, you know.

[Cue epic Kajiura overture]

Ryougi Shiki:

It’s too early to give up, Mr. Clown.

If it really was the Beast of Gaia, it’d be hopeless. But we face a degraded Beast of Alaya.

If the enemy is a wraith driven mad in death, then we must simply fight it.

Mash:

Shiki-san? …Huh? What!?

Ryougi Shiki:

[” ” form]

A pleasure to meet you, Mash-san. Good evening, Gudao-san.

I didn’t plan to use my full powers, but here I am, the enemy being what it is.

Use me as you wish, if only for a short while.

Mash:

Y-Yes, how polite-

No, wait, that’s not the issue here!

Senpai, something’s wrong with Shiki-san! From the trivial details like how she changed clothes out of nowhere, um…

Where did this gentle air of femininity come from, like a shower of flower petals!? It’s Isn’t this the very picture of the scenic beauty of nature!?!?

Ryougi Shiki:

Oh, dear. So that’s what surprised you. It’s refreshing to act girly for once.

…To be honest, it’s too bad to see you hear, Mash. Battle really isn’t your calling.

???:

[screeches]

Ryougi Shiki:

…My, how inelegant. Just when I was feeling so sad and warm.

Of course, it’s the land’s fault for raising a ghost like this.

Speaking, but didn’t a magus breathe his last here?

Miss… Shiki, behind you! So, this happened before.

[1] Ryougi Shiki:

Yes, I know. Now, let’s take this thing out without breaking a sweat!

[2] Ryougi Shiki:

Yes, if you remember it. I don’t, though.

…Heh heh. We are indeed bound by fate. This makes for a strange story, but I’m very happy to hear you say it.

Ryougi Shiki:

That one said he was going to make a hell here, but that is Enma‘s domain.

The oni of Hell have no need for a screaming record player stuck on repeat. Boundless dream, may you disappear into the valley of the Ryougi!

[battle against Ghost Lantern]

Mash:

The hostile ghost has dispersed! We did it! Thank you, Shiki-sa…n?

Ryougi Shiki:

[back to normal]

Ouch… I tripped on a tree branch… What was I thinking?

Hm? Oh, you mopped them up while I was being a klutz. Good work, you two.

Mash:

No, um… You’re Shiki-san, right?

It’s fine. Leave it alone, Mash. So you were a transforming magical girl, Shiki…

[1] Mash:

…You’re right. I suppose she has her reasons.

But I must say, your furisode was beautiful. I’d like to know more about it…

[2] Shiki:

Transforming? What are you talking about? I’m not a little girl, anyway.

Fou:

Foh, foh!

Ryougi Shiki:

Oh! What’s up, Fou? Want me to praise you, too? …Huh, what’s that? Isn’t it a key?

Mash:

It appears to have been hidden here. Great job, Fou-san. Good boy, good boy.

Ryougi Shiki:

…… [blushing]

Mephisto:

My, my! Shiki-san looks like she wants to ruffle some fur, too! Go right ahead!

To tell you the truth, my cape is a sumptuous article made of 100% genuine devil fur!

Go ahead, feel it. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Ryougi Shiki:

… *sigh*

Fine, I’ll compromise. Let me touch it.

[Mephy dodges a slash]

Mephisto:

That was cloooose! Mephy’s in a pinch! Were you trying to trim my cuticles!?

Ryougi Shiki:

Ah, my bad. Your long hair was just annoying me so much.

Mephisto:

That won’t do at all! Haircuts are a job for scissors! The best you can do with that knife is a close shave!

The dandy look is what I’m after! I’ll guard this hairdo with my life!

Ryougi Shiki:

You call that stylish!?