Chapter 11 Episode 2: Everyone's Determination 2

Things continue over at the Warmongers HQ where several of the leaders depart from the meeting area until the Wa no Kuni World Rep is the last one remaining. He calls out, asking if Tanetomo and Yasuyori are there. Tanetomo answers and reveals himself without making any sounds of footsteps, referring to the Rep by that title and as the Originator as he bows to him. The Rep acknowledges him, then notices Yasuyori isn't there and asks where he is. Tanetomo answers that he has unfortunately deserted, which mildly surprises him. Narration notes that the Rep doesn't show any sign of being surprised the way he speaks though.

 

Tanetomo swears to more than make up for Yasuyori's absence in the battlefield, then pleads for him to show mercy. The World Rep laughs after a moment and says Tanetomo doesn't need to be so stiff, and he comments that he and Tanetomo used to be inseparable, so him being gone now must be like missing half his soul. The World Rep sympathizes and says he felt something like that long ago. He lost an irreplaceable war asset, an irreplaceable great man, and something he trails off on. But anyways he asks Tanetomo if Yasuyori was someone not easily replaceable to him, which Tanetomo says yes to. The World Rep thinks on this, then comments that Yasuyori was a big statured guy.

 

The World Rep summons some giants from wherever and offers to let Tanetomo take them with him as replacement fighters if he feels he needs them. Tanetomo politely thanks him for his unusual generosity, and the Rep talks about having already made an imperial decree to him, a Hakkenshi, one of the heroes of Wa no Kuni. He reminds him that he is one of the swords of the country, a sword meant to cut down the oni and demons that threaten them as great enemies. He has great expectations for him, and he hopes he stays as he is, someone irreplaceable. Tanetomo bows in a show of submission, and his unparalleled wisdom told him all other responses were incorrect. If he did anything unwanted, he would be cast away. He knows that more than anyone.

 

Scene then shifts back to underground base as Snow says he understands what your guys' plans are and says it's about rescuing Mononobe. Shirou nods, saying that's how he wants to respond to the Berserkers' questions. He notes that fighting is probably unavoidable because of that, but fighting isn't the goal. Concluding that the true big three guilds is the enemy means that you'll likely lose sight of things that you cans see. He'd prefer to put emphasis on what it is you guys want to do, not who is an enemy and who is an ally. Shirou believes that's how you guys can finally have a chance of getting what you need to get, and he asks if that's fine with you. You either nod strongly or just nod while not really getting what he means.

 

Snow says he understands and agrees, then comments that's how you all got this far. Shirou nods as he mentions that a senpai from school told him things. Flashback then kicks in of Tsukuyomi's speech to Shirou from before they all hit up the dark auction. As a reminder, it's Tsukuyomi's advice/lecture that you shouldn't divide things between what you can understand and what you think you don't need to understand. Draw your line in the sand, and a war will erupt, which is the forte of the Warmongers. A refusal to understand is the inability to move forward, and a clear divide between all things leads to the strong beating the weak. But if your opponents are strong in one thing, the best thing to do is to bait them into a game that you can win, where you can then find a chance at victory.

 

After the flashback, Shirou asks if you and Kengo can head out immediately. He'll be giving instructions and wants you guys to gather intel. He'd also like for you guys to avoid fighting for as much as possible. Kengo snorts and says he's not so much of an idiot as to charge blindly forward. He also reminisces a little about his time going wild in Kabukicho in the past, and it was rough getting chased around the place. You tell Shirou to count on you, ask Kengo to not do anything stupid, then ask R-19 to navigate for you. R-19 acknowledges the request and says he'll be in contact with you from the base. You then tell Kengo it's time to head out, and he follows you as you two leave with Shirou watching you guys off.

 

After you guys go, a voice laughs about how you'd declare that battle isn't your goal while being in high spirits, which he says is just like you as he calls you his bridegroom. He also comments on Shirou saying something deep, which the rest of them should take after. Snow recognizes the voice and notes that he's back, and Claude finally walks on camera to reveal himself and announces his return and apologize for the worry he's caused. Snow welcomes Claude back and says he'll put some milk tea on.

 

Claude asks Snow to report what's new to him and can do so while making the tea. Snow nods at that, and Claude laughs again as he notes that Snow's face has 'this is the worst situation possible' written all over it, then comments on how overwhelming the Warmongers forces are. Snow admits that they seem to be inexhaustible like they come out of nowhere, and Claude prompts him to continue. Snow starts talking about how the Berserkers is a group of people who excel in 1v1 or 1vSeveral fights. Against the forces set up against you, it'd turn into a 1v100 or even 1v1000.

 

Claude notes that nothing in this world is truly infinite and nothing really pops out of nowhere. If it looks that way, it's only because a System of faith exists that gives an illusion of that. Snow nods in respect at this and Claude keeps talking, saying that something will definitely turn up if you look into Mahakala's background. You guys know nothing about him as of now, from what he looks like, to what class and power he has, or even what his personality is like. According to one rumor, Mahakala is cruel and violent and treats other Transients as objects. Another rumor denies that, calling him calm and wise and more compassionate than anyone. Claude then brings up that Snow once told him that Mahakala's name is known in two words, which Snow confirms.

 

Claude nods as he says that he could say how people can say that, but he has a slightly different opinion. Snow prompts him to go on, so Claude suggests that Mahakala is a System that holds both those people going by that name, a System that holds a number of classes and powers. Claude talks about how a System is a construct of several components, and if you treat it as a whole, you can see it as a vast, complex darkness. Claude declares that they'll all pull it apart and draw it into their own field of specialty as Shirou brought up, 1v1 battles. In other words, they'll split a 1v1000 battle into 1000 1v1 battles, which is where they can find a chance to win.

 

Claude starts talking about how the results of the battle at the military prison academy was huge. General Tezcatlipoca's network has been silenced, meaning the Warmongers's intel network now has a hole in it. It does seem like someone else has taken it over since the intel network itself seems to still be running. That said you guys have at least found some information of the other Warmonger members that had always been shrouded in darkness thanks to you guys, and Snow is impressed.

 

Claude says one of the members is the black marketeer in charge of supplying troops for their forces, the dark auctioneer as the game flashes Daikoku's sprite. Another member is Gehenna's World Representative, the government secretary aide who works on the shadow cabinet. A third would be the rumored famous political agitator, the World Representative of Wa no Kuni as well as a noted student politician in the public of Tokyo. Finally, Shiva's sprite gets shown as Claude gets to the World Representative of Deva Loka whose relation to Mahakala the Great Darkness is suspect. There's also info on other people, and Claude says that if you know your enemies and allies, the battle can get more exciting. He then mentions that the three Berserkers rescued from the prison school are heading to their own stage of battle.

 

Speaking of the Berserker rescuees, camera jumps over to where Bathym, Pollux, and Andvari are standing around in the dark until Pollux activates his artifact to create some light. Bathym comments on how convenient it is, and Pollux says it's not that special as he describes how the shining star above his head can illuminate any darkness. This is apparently where the three of them part ways according to Pollux, and he wishes the other two luck in not getting discovered by the army.

 

Andvari says all that the money going through the black market is all he cares about regarding the info Claude gave him. Still, he is ticked about being sold off himself and intends to pay back the dark auctioneer for that. Bathym says he's going to rekindle an old friendship too if that's what Andvari is saying. He expresses some surprise at Big Solomon being here claiming to be an agent for the Lightbringer, and he reveals that his name is actually Mephistopheles the one who hates the light as he says he needs to question him as Shaytan's close aide.

 

Camera swings back to Claude as he asks Snow about the other ranked Berserkers and is fine with just what they know. Snow reports that they believe most of the other members are still captured at the hands of the true big three guilds. Taurus Mask is in the middle of gathering information on the others, so he might be away for some time. Claude nods, saying to continue the investigations and leaves it to Snow. Snow accepts the order and asks him to wait for a response. Claude says he'll set up the stage for the fighters in the meantime, so he intends to go to the Diet now. He feels that would be the most suitable battlefield for himself.

 

Claude also mentions that he should play another card before he goes. It wouldn't be very fun to be constantly attacked by the three guilds' vanguards all day after all. He decides to get that one fighter into action, the Ranker and Lonely Star of Fire. Snow expresses shock at this, and the episode ends with Cthugha's silhouette being brought up.