Nezha
The Feudists
Mash:
Oh, Senpai.
Mash:
Yes, I was just reading.
Mash:
I wanted to learn more about Nezha,
so I was re-reading her story.
Mash:
I had read “Journey to the West” before, but I learned of “Investiture of the Gods” only recently.
Mash:
Have you heard of it?
Fujimaru 1:
Both novels are pretty popular.
Mash:
Really?
Fujimaru 2:
I don't think that many people have read the original text...
Mash:
So there are many spin-off works from the original text.
Mash:
Human culture never ceases to amaze me.
Mash:
The frequently mentioned Chinese classics are: “Journey to the West,” “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” “Water Margin,” and “The Plum in the Golden Vase.”
Mash:
Though many of the passionate readers switch the “Golden Vase” with “Investiture of the Gods” to insist that it is one of the great classic Chinese novels.
Mash:
And some say that the “Investiture of the Gods” is one of the great Chinese classics, along with “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “Journey to the West.”
Mash:
I also took a brief look at related Chinese texts...
Mash:
But it appears that the lore for Nezha greatly differs from work to work.
Fujimaru 1:
Really?
Mash:
It appears that she has Taoist,
Buddhist, and even Hindu origins.
Mash:
Although, that isn't really unique,
even among the Servants we know...
Fujimaru 2:
There's just one question (read: gender) to clear up.
Mash:
Senpai, here's your coffee. I believe there are certain topics that are best left alone.
Mash:
The Nezha that we know appears to be the most similar to the version from “Journey to the West”...
Mash:
The Nezha of “Investiture of the Gods” seems like a better fit for a Berserker than a Lancer...
Mash:
But Nezha is...hard to define. So many characteristics and aspects are jumbled together.
Mash:
In “Investiture of the Gods,” many supernatural beings and spirits of various time periods assemble and participate in a bloody melee.
Fujimaru 1:
It's like Chaldea.
Mash:
If you're likening “Investiture of the Gods” to an all-star battle set during the Ming Dynasty, you would not be far off the mark.
Mash:
Though, I would prefer to not use the word “melee”...
Fujimaru 2:
Both Heroic Spirits and humans have hidden sides.
Mash:
True...it's not right to judge others by rumors or titles alone.
Mash:
On one hand, Nezha is enshrined as a god in China and Southeast Asia, even in modern times.
Mash:
Don't you think it's odd for a god to be depicted as a youth?
Mash:
I was very curious about that,
and that's why I went to the library...
Fujimaru 1:
Why don't we just ask Nezha?
Mash:
Wouldn't...that be too...bold of us?
Mash:
With so many aspects, maybe there are some she would prefer be left alone? Still...
Fujimaru 2:
Long have I awaited this day...
Mash:
...Senpai.
Mash:
This is that legendary drink called “coffee.”
It's black, so please drink it all down.
Mash:
Everyone is my teacher in life,
and they are also my friends...
Mash:
Even were it necessary for a mission,
I'd like to avoid anything that could hurt them...
Mash:
Though...my curiosity may be winning out over all that...
Mash:
Um...Nezha's schedule for today is...
Mash:
It appears that she is participating in a meeting run by the “Buddhist Club.”
Fujimaru 1:
That's new. Where do they meet?
Mash:
This is the first I heard of the group, as well.
Mash:
I've heard of groups like “Old Men Seriously Reading Fairytales” and “Air Basketball Club”...
Fujimaru 2:
How do you know about this club?
Mash:
Because I'm aware of all the clubs that are active in Chaldea!
Mash:
Well...at least I wanted to be.
I may have exaggerated a bit...
Mash:
So actually, an anonymous Japanese Lancer came to me to discuss something, and that's how I heard about it.
Mash:
The meeting is held...in the simulator room, it seems.
Mash:
I can even hear the sounds of battle all the way out here. I can only assume that an extensive training session is underway.
Fujimaru 1:
Forcing my way in.
Mash:
Ah, Senpai!?
Fujimaru 2:
I'd like to join the club.
Mash:
If it's a Buddhist Club, would the conditions to join the club be renouncing the world and becoming a monk?
--ARROW--:
Nezha:
Master!
Have. No need. For assistance. Or strategizing.
Nezha:
This is training!
Fujimaru 1:
I know!
Fujimaru 2:
That's why I wanted to join.
Benkei:
Wonderful, Lord Nezha.
Such superb fighting technique!
Benkei:
My naginata is certainly getting a workout.
Your mystical spear is especially ravishing!
Benkei:
And this is called the Fire-Tipped Spear?
Benkei:
Well, you are more than qualified to join our Buddhist Club!
Nezha:
...??? Do not. Understand.
Nezha:
Buddhist Club? More like. Feudist club!
Nezha:
But. You helped me train...
You were. Enthusiastic. Thank you. For that.
Sanzang:
Huh? When did this turn into a club admission test?
Sanzang:
Actually, we welcome anyone and everyone to our Buddhist gathering.
Sanzang:
But honestly, I was beyond excited when I learned that Nezha had come to Chaldea!
Sanzang:
I'd be happy to spend time with you!
Not just when we're training, either!
Sanzang:
From eating vegetarian sweets, picking out a priest's stole, temple hopping...I'm game for anything!
Nezha:
You just want. Me to indulge. Your desires.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
...Um...
Tamamo-no-Mae:
I'm all for being wrapped in the warm embrace of friends old and new...
Tamamo-no-Mae:
But I do not remember...EVER...joining such a club.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
What I DO remember is being grabbed and dragged in here. Isn't this kidnapping!?
Mash:
...R-really? I was wondering why you were here.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Well, I'm relieved to know that at least SOMEONE is concerned about me!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Oh, but if Master is considering joining, I may be more inclined to do so, too. So, all's well that ends well!
Nezha:
Don't go. Near...Master! Evil fox spirit!!!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
MIKON!?
The end of my poor tail is on fire!
Mash:
Nezha!?
She just used her Fire-Tipped Spear!
Fujimaru 1:
What's going on!?
Fujimaru 2:
We're not in the simulator anymore!
Benkei:
If I may explain...
Lord Nezha requested a match with Lady Tamamo.
Nezha:
No. Not just a match.
I am going. To kill her. KILL!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
WHAAAT!?
Tamamo-no-Mae:
No wonder it felt like you were just going after me!
I don't understand this sudden assault against me!
Mash:
Let me guess...does Nezha see Tamamo as the character from the “Investiture of the Gods”...?
Mash:
That is, the fox spirit, Daji, who is said to have caused the decline of the Shang dynasty!?
Nezha:
Yes! Correct!
Nezha:
She is. The unparalleled trickster. Brutal. Conniving fox! She will. Surely cause. Chaldea's downfall!
Sanzang:
Oh, really?
Sanzang:
So, so...were you also Lady Huangyang from Tianzhu all that time ago? She was pretty foxy, too.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Hmmm...hmmm...
Tamamo doesn't know♡
Tamamo-no-Mae:
I can neither confirm nor deny such a thing... I'm a little fuzzy when it comes to my past life and stuff...
Fujimaru 1:
Even so, that has nothing to do with the Tamamo in Chaldea.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Oh, Master...!
Benkei:
Ah, that's our Master. Your acceptance and generosity toward others is more vast than any ocean!
Sanzang:
Yes! That's my disciple you're talking about!
Sanzang:
But...I will have a word with you later,
Benkei, for starting this whole kerfuffle.
Benkei:
Hmgh!
Fujimaru 2:
Fight, and whoever wins shall be my consort!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Mikon!? I heard something just like that in my previous life! Ah, that brings back memories... Now I'm all fired up!
Nezha:
C-consort!?
I-I refuse! Why ME!?
Mash:
That's right, Senpai!
Please do not tease them like that!
Sanzang:
That's right, my disciple! If we're going to do it, it'll have to be fair and square! Like in a tournament!
Nezha:
X-Xuanzang!
You half-witted monk!
Sanzang:
Leaving the consort issue aside...
Sanzang:
Fated enemies... Such encounters are bound to happen in a place where Servants assemble.
Sanzang:
Nezha's grudge would probably have come up at some point.
Sanzang:
But since she came by seeking help from our club...
Tamamo-no-Mae:
I am not asking for help, not this shrine maiden♡
Sanzang:
Leaving the source of the dispute alone would likely affect future activities for Fujimaru.
Sanzang:
Now, you two...
Sanzang:
Since we have the simulator here, why don't we banish our worldly desires here?
Benkei:
Hm...what are you suggesting?
Fujimaru 1:
A one-on-one all-out...battle?
Sanzang:
Yep. That's right.
Sanzang:
Personally, I prefer not to believe that Tamamo is a bad Heroic Spirit...
Nezha:
Xuanzang...
Nezha:
That. Is quite. A grand sentiment.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
...One-on-one!? (Ears twitching)
Tamamo-no-Mae:
...Teehee. That's the spirit.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
You started this, so you won't mind if I hit back full-force, right?
Mash:
Tamamo is quite riled up.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Very well. I accept your challenge!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
And then I will assume the position of reliable consort, once and for all! Please watch, Master☆
Nezha:
I thought. We dropped. The idea.
Of becoming. Master's consort?
Nezha:
!!!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Now, this will be a fair and square one-on-one fight! And your opponent will be ME!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Don't you dare say you've never seen anything like this in Chaldea! Just come at me!
Nezha:
Body clones!? Divided Spirits!?
Oh, yes!
Nezha:
Even I. Know. Three-faced. Six-armed. Battle techniques. I shall. Be your. Greatest Opponent!
--BATTLE--:
Nezha:
I won! It is my! Victory!
Nezha:
Even if. The evil. Fox spirit. Goes mad.
Everything should. Be fine. Since I. Am here!
Tamamo-no-Mae:
I...lost...unnnghhh... The path to becoming the perfect Servant...cannot be walked in a single day...
Benkei:
But it was a grand battle.
Sanzang:
You think so? I think Nezha needs more training.
Sanzang:
Growing is good, especially for Nezha,
who will always remain in her childhood form.
Nezha:
I once. Sealed away. Ninety-six demons.
So three. Or even. A hundred. Demons–
Fujimaru 1:
I'm counting on you, Nezha.
Nezha:
Oh...Master...
Nezha:
Okay! Got it!
Nezha:
I will focus. And work. My hardest!
Fujimaru 2:
Thanks for holding back, Tamamo.
Tamamo-no-Mae:
Master... Of course...
Tamamo-no-Mae:
As the shrine maiden with a permanent spot reserved at Master's side, it's the least I can do☆
Mash:
So it appears that Nezha not only possesses memories from “Journey to the West,” but also from the “Investiture of the Gods.”
Nezha:
Yes. That is. Just another. Part of. My past.
Nezha:
The “me.” From then. Always sought. New enemies.
And I was. Violent... Dangerous...
Nezha:
I was. Like...a Berserker. I had. No right.
To bad-mouth. The Great Sage. Heaven's Equal.
Mash:
...
Fujimaru 1:
What kind of person do you want to be now, Nezha?
Nezha:
Master...
Nezha:
I...I...honestly...
Nezha:
Rather than. A strong god. Of martial arts. I want to be. A good god. One who. Is kind. To children.
Nezha:
I hated. And cursed. My parents. Especially Father.
Nezha:
Even now. Even with. My soul. Wandering so. The flame. Within me. Has yet. To be. Fully extinguished.
Nezha:
And so. I wish. To cherish. The young. I want. To Protect. Children. And save them. From going through. What I. Once did...
Nezha:
My desires...may not. Match up.
With other. Strong people's...
Nezha:
They may. Not fit. A Servant. Of Chaldea...
Mash:
No! That's not true, Nezha.
Mash:
We welcome Nezha with open arms!
Right, Senpai!?
Fujimaru 1:
Of course.
Fujimaru 2:
There is strength in kindness.
Nezha:
...I see.
Then...I'm relieved. Master...thank you.
Fujimaru 1:
Hey, by the way...
Fujimaru 2:
There's something I've been curious about...
Mash:
...Senpai...
Fujimaru 1:
There's a subject we haven't addressed...
Fujimaru 2:
Take a look at this list, and tell me which one you identify with...
Nezha:
...Hm?
Nezha:
“Male,” “Female,” “Both,” “None,” “Beep-boop,” “Astrodroid,” “Non-binary”...
Nezha:
...HMMMMMMMMMMM!?
Nezha:
NO, Master! Understand that. There are. Some topics. That I. Do not. Wish to. Talk about. Even at. My Master's. Earnest request!
Mash:
...Senpai! Please have this scalding hot cup of coffee!!!