Saturday, December 22, 2018

Entry 39: Get money, get secrets

Sakura Labyrinth Floor -02: Gold Trash

After entering the new layer, we soon come to a large open space. The path goes to the left, and in front of us —

Rin :: So you did come. You really don’t listen to what people tell you.

Rin…! No, it’s another copy of Rin, right? Still, she was lying in wait like this…!

Rin :: But, I’ll forgive you just this once. Thanks for doing just as I ordered. You just had to do it.

Caster :: Don't be fooled, Master. That smile is the one a woman wears when her schemes are going well. If you want to know how I know, see, I have a mirror, right? I remember seeing it there.

Rin :: Your Servant is an eyesore as always. They're annoying, and I'd like to humiliate them here, but…well, you’re both valued costumers, after all? Maybe that energy will help me out this time. Kishinami? You’ll have to make it through here if you want to get out, but — as you can see, there’s something blocking your way. Will you be able to defeat this guy and make it through, I wonder?

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Leo :: Wait. We’ve just parsed your visual data, Hakuno, and that enemy program is a special type. Avoid battle with it at all costs.

Rin :: Oh, was that Leo’s voice just now? So he also got thrown into the old school building. Well, doesn’t really matter. As Leo said, this guy’s quite strong. It might be hard for your Servant to defeat. But I’ll help you out this time. If you help someone, they’ll help you next time, you know. If you make me a show of good faith, I’ll lower this guy’s rate. I’ve prepared a terminal directly connected to my account. If you want to make things easier, then please deposit the specified amount. I call it the Tohsaka Money is Power System!

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Umm — what?

Rin :: The Tohsaka Money is Power System!

Caster :: ……

Gawain :: ……

Gatou :: ……

Jinako :: ……

Leo :: Ah, brother, could you make us some tea?  Something tart and hot. I’d like to change the mood.

Rin :: Heeheehee…So amazed you can’t speak, I see. I’ll be going now. It’s up to you now Kishinami — I’ll let you decide whether you want to fight it at full power or raise the money. Heehee, ehehe, ahahaha! See you! Enrich my bank account as much as you can, okay!

— huh!? Crap, I was dumbfounded and just let Rin go…

Caster :: ...I see... I've learned something about her today. She's a fascinating opponent. Alright. If your bank account goes up in flames, I'll be happy to take it over ☆

That’s more development than I would have expected, but I get the theory. Anyway, let’s explore the area ahead…

[We go and check out the MPS machine.]

To lower the enemy’s level, please insert 2000 sakurament (Sm).

Sakurament…? It seems to be the official name of the currency on the far side of the moon. I’ve acquired some of over the course of events, but it seems it’s different from the PPT used in the Holy Grail War.

Sakura :: PPT is a virtual currency used only in the Holy Grail War, so it holds no meaning on the far side of the moon. “Sm” is mana itself…it seems to be a definable resource even in imaginary number space.

Caster :: Sakura... ment? I feel like there's another word with a similar sounding... well, nevermind! Master, even if your wallet is empty, as long as there's love, there's no problem! Our relationship isn't the kind that can be cut with gold.

[Spoiler at the bottom of the entry if you can't figure the other word out.]

It's true. There's no meaning in worrying about things I can't use anymore... But it is a bit scary to have my savings suddenly wiped out. I suppose I should get my act together and start collecting "Sm".

[I open a treasure chest near the MPS. A message comes up saying I have acquired zero SM.]

…there’s nothing inside the treasure chest.

Leo :: She incites us to contribute money, and nearby is an ostentatious, empty treasure chest. Miss Tohsaka is really quite easy to understand. It’s easy to imagine her second SG.

[So, this area is filled with chests containing 0 Sm. You can eventually beat enough enemies to pay the fine, or you can just be overleveled for the area like me and smash the enemy's face in. If you do it the farmy way, you get this:]

Rin :: Yeess. ♥ Just the efforts I’d hoped for, my sweet worker ants!

Jinako :: Ants or whatever, that woman’s head is full of nothing but $.

Leo :: She’s in high spirits. She must be pleased to have extracted such a high fee.

Rin :: Now Kishinami, allow me to introduce you to one of our newer products! The enemy this time will be “tough & powerful!” This one is measured to really take your finances by the root!

[And if you do it MY way, you get this:]

Rin :: ...Well done. I can't believe you really beat that thing with force alone. I underestimated you. But this time I'll make you pay up! Behold my strengthened money system!

Leo :: I wondered this before, but why is this woman using her considerable talent for this?

Gatou :: Umu. She's a real money-grubber. I'd draw a parallel to Datsue-ba.

[I couldn't quite understand what he said last here. Sometimes this guy is worse than Tamamo. Curse Nasu and his old-style poetic proclivities.]

[End differences. She sets up the same enemy and MPS from last time.]

Rin :: Hmph. What’re you making that face for. It hurts to be looked at like that, you know? Lancer likes to be so flashy. She goes on about how she wants to get a bigger bathtub…so I need funds for that. Therefore, I’ll be looking forward to your next contribution~

Caster :: I see, so Rin's contracted with a high-maintenance servant, huh... Rin gets the burden when that lizard-woman wastes money. She's a devil. Ah, but - it's part of the husband's duties to laugh at their wife's mischiefs and forgive. Rin might be an opponent, but I'd like to help out her standing if I can.

I’ve come to understand Rin’s situation a little more. It seems the main cause is Lancer. I can kind of sympathize with, also having a Servant who doesn’t listen to me. Even so, the fact is that further fees are upon us. Around. Around. The sound of the account balance going around and around. To continue to let Rin swindle me, or to prepare to die fighting? The fate of a billing-warrior is truly harsh.

 [If you pay:]

Alright, the enemy seems beatable now. I'll show you the grudges money can bring!

[The enemy's moves are all visible, we oneshot it.]

Rin :: Thanks for your business, and good work!

Sakura :: Rin, that greeting is a little...

Rin :: But the service ends here. Sorry about killing your savings, but I'm putting your search to an end. I won't let you go any farther. Well, as long as this wall is here, you aren't going anywhere anyway.

[If you don't pay:]

Rin :: I, I thought it wasn’t possible, so I came running to see, but you defeated that guy without paying the fee…! Cheat! You’re cheating, aren’t you!?

Jinako :: You say as its maker. You’re the unfair one here.

Leo :: Yes. Though we were surprised as well. I did think you couldn’t defeat that enemy, but…

Julius :: This is what it’s like to see human potential revealed. Her anger at being ripped off by Rin Tohsaka was all it took to overturn the balance…

Rin :: [Angry Kana Ueda noises] Rrrrgh…hmph, fine, whatever. It doesn’t bother me! Your advance ends here anyway. Since this wall is here, you won’t be able to keep going.

…Right. The whole “Tohsaka Money is Power System” thing was just a largely meaningless sub-event. But the shield obstructing our path here is an impregnable wall. Rin’s hidden feelings. We can’t open that door unless we understand them.

Caster :: That shield is a bit of a problem. Well, it is what it is. Rin, one question for future reference. Was all this money management for the sake of your luxury-minded Lancer?

Rin :: Huh? What about Lancer? She doesn’t have anything to do with this, does she? I just like money, you know? It’s just always better to have money than not. Lancer’s lived in luxury since the day she was born, she wouldn’t be able to live without it, but I’m different. I’m not interested in luxury.

Rin answers plainly. Her face is cheerful. …I see. So Rin Tohsaka doesn’t care for luxury, but rather for money itself…!

Rin :: Yes, exactly! I’m not really sure why myself, but seeing a mountain of cast just makes my heart race! Up until now I’d never…well, I’d never tell anyone at all, it’s just too embarrassing ♥ See, I am a member of the resistance, but it would be an exaggeration to say it’s half because of money. The princes of the Middle East give fantastic payments, even high quality gems, and — agh, uh…!? Hey, what, this pain again!?

…! Electric current runs through my left hand. My body becomes light as if urged on. It’s an opening in Rin’s heart…! If I ventured to define it,

> Dead of money
[>] Slave to money
> Queen of money

Yes, well, there are a lot of ways to say it, but frankly, is can be summed up as “Mammonism!”

Rin :: Ah — no, yo can’t…! Ah, uah, ahh —!

[Now we go through the glowing orb grabbing chest piercing sky leaping shield shattering SG capture routine.]

Leo :: That’s it! Fantastic question, Hakuno!

Rin :: What, no way! My protections were breached again!? Kk, this isn’t a game anymore. I’ll kick you around and send you to the torture chamber. Come to me, Lancer! I’ll really let you do it this time!

Caster :: Hurt and confused, the villain raises her hand and calls her trump card! This is a clear "Total Defeat" flag! Master, let's go!

I’m tired from our previous battle with the Money System, but Caster’s encouragement banishes those feelings. The Servant stained with fresh blood, Lancer. The first time, we didn’t stand a chance, but this time, maybe…!

Rin :: …Lancer?

[Phone ringing sound!]

Lancer :: Are you dumb? I’m not coming right now. I told you, I’m off duty when I’m bathing. Skincare is a required subject for an idol. More importantly, there’s not enough blood for this bath. I told you I wouldn’t use the same blood twice, didn’t I? Go out and catch some new livestock. You want to be the queen of the moon, don’t you? Then you should at least be able to do this promptly.

Rin :: ………………well, I guess I’ll let you go this time too.

I just manage to stop myself from thanking her. I think if I thanked her now, Rin would hate me for life.

Leo :: Thank you very much, Miss Tohsaka. Your consideration is a blessing.
Rin :: Ugh, don’t thank me for this! Remember this, Hakunon, Gilgamesh, and you too, Leonard, getting cocky back there! If I catch you guys, what happens to you in the torture room will be so in-credibly awful, even if you cry and beg I won’t forgive you, okay!

Rin’s body is fading out. I don’t think the copies can hold up once their secret is revealed. Since I identified the SG, I’d like to declare this match a draw due to injury, but…

Caster :: WAIT a second! You mentioned the torture chamber, but do you really have those kinds of hobbies??

Right. That inhuman torture chamber. In her right mind, Rin Tohsaka would never approve of that hell. It has to be Lancer’s doing, something Rin had nothing to do with. But —

Rin :: Of course it is. Captured slaves must be imprisoned. Cowardly Masters, elite only by words, lazy slobs who’ve never worked a day. Those who have incredible skills and do nothing with them don’t deserve them. So I’m just forcing them to work. It even comes with all the necessities of life, plus sleep, breaks, and dessert! See, if you don’t give them some moderate accommodations, the quality of their work would drop. Well? It’s a valid use for those with bad debt. They’ve got no right to complain, they should be thanking me.

Jinako :: Scary girl…so young, but she thinks like one of the exploiters!

Leo :: No, that’s not the problem. Hakuno, do you notice something wrong there?

> Rin’s being too lenient
[>] She’s wrong about the details of the torture

Of course. There’s a discrepancy between what Rin’s said and that torture chamber. The torture chamber we saw was a worldly hell. Its prisoners had no freedom, and their blood and magic circuits were being taken from them. But Rin said she was forcing them to work. There’s one reason for the appearance of such a discrepancy. The torture chamber Rin speaks of and the one we saw are different…Or maybe, Rin has never seen the torture chamber…?

Rin :: Huh? Crucifixion? Binding the hands and feet and draining blood? That’s not just a strong metaphor for squeezing cash out of them?

Yes, I nod. I explain to Rin what kind of place the torture chamber we saw was.

Rin :: I need to go check whether you’re lying. …But, it is something Lancer would do. I’ll release those Masters and NPCs. I knew she was the kind of Servant who would do something like that, but I left her to her own devices, so it’s my mistake.

…! So Rin Tohsaka really is Rin Tohsaka. It’s just been her hidden preferences, “Excessive Self-Consciousness” and “Mammonism,” coming to the forefront…!

[Is that code for, “this is just a really flanderized version of Rin”? Because that I could agree with regarding Extra Rin in general.]

Rin :: …hmn. I guess I’m being overestimated as well. From the way you said that, it sounds like you knew me before?

I nod, “of course.” I don’t remember how many rounds I fought through, but I know her advice saved me more times than I could count.

Rin :: You can’t remember how many rounds you fought…? …well, whatever. Anyway, I am most certainly Rin Tohsaka. This personality is all me. So, Kishinami. If you’re going to relax just because we used to be friends, you’re going to die.

The copy of Rin shatters, leaving those cold words behind her. In any case, the shield is down. Darkness is spreading lightly, as if the Labyrinth is summoning me to the next layer…

[Answer from earlier: Sacrament.]

Modified from the translation at https://tsukinoura.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/entry-39-get-money-get-secrets/. Please support the original translator.

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