William Shakespeare
Curtain Call
Shakespeare:
Hm...Master, can I have a minute?
This town lacks something. What do you think it is?
Fujimaru 1:
Smiles.
Fujimaru 2:
Happiness.
Shakespeare:
Exactly! The world is a stage, and the men and women coming and going on it are performers.
Shakespeare:
Regardless, there is no smile in this town.
No happiness. Why is that–?
Shakespeare:
It's because there is no drama!
If so, shall we put up an improv for people to see?
Mash:
An improv? ...And you said "we."...
By "we", you mean...
Shakespeare:
Why, of course I mean myself, Mash Kyrielight, and Master Fujimaru.
Mash:
I-Impossible!
I've never seen or performed a play!
Shakespeare:
Oh, you haven't?
Mash:
Y-Yes. I'm sorry for my inexperience...
But there was never any need for me to...
Shakespeare:
Hahaha, what are you talking about?
That need is more apparent than ever for you!
Shakespeare:
What you need right now is love, words and poetry!
A kindled passion is exactly what you need!
Mash:
Ohhhh, but...
Shakespeare:
Oh, and a shield and weapon, too.
It's kind of sudden, I know–
Citizen:
Monsters!
Monsters are coming–!
Shakespeare:
But monsters are coming all of a sudden, you see!
Mash:
W-Why is that–?
Fujimaru 1:
W-We should deal with them.
Fujimaru 2:
Let's protect everyone!
Shakespeare:
Oh, what a courageous line!
But I wish you'd made your delivery a bit more complex.
Shakespeare:
"Hear your death bell ringing! Are you going to heaven, or to hell!" ...How about that?
Mash:
Uh, excuse me.
Please join the battle!
--BATTLE--:
Shakespeare:
Oh, how valorous you were.
You are majestic even when standing behind me, Master.
Shakespeare:
Well, the Holy Grail War is a fine thing. It's a war that contains elements common to historical plays, tragedy and comedy!
Mash:
I'm...glad to hear that.
Shakespeare:
See, hear the thunderous applause.
Citizen:
You were so cool, kid!
Citizen:
I love you, let's make a baby!
Citizen:
Who's giving out the orders behind that girl...
A king, emperor, or a general...?
Mash:
Wh-Whoa.
Whoa, whoa, whoa...
Mash:
L-Let's get going, Master!
Shakespeare:
I wish I could work out the lines a little more there...
Mash:
Give me a break...!
Shakespeare:
Well, it's important to select words with care.
I hope you'll work harder next time.
Mash:
Wh-What?
Did you say–Next time?
Shakespeare:
Yes.
Listen, Mash, Master.
Shakespeare:
You two are the protagonists of this play.
A girl and her master rise up to save this town.
Shakespeare:
The girl is a steel knight with a fragile heart.
The master is a vulnerable human with a steel heart.
Shakespeare:
By going hand in hand, the two characters begin to transform from craven to courageous.
Shakespeare:
And standing in their way–
Shakespeare:
Are diabolical beasts beyond human understanding.
Unable to communicate, they are incompatible.
Shakespeare:
Their sad existence is fated to be hostile to humans.
By delivering the final blow, the two heroes are able to move on.
Shakespeare:
It is a treacherous path denying them even sleep, the one balm for their wounded bodies and souls.
Shakespeare:
Regardless, they have no regret, despair, or resignation.
Shakespeare:
Even if what they fight against is the great existence constituting the framework of the universe–
Shakespeare:
You two shall march onward!
Mash:
...Excuse me, but I have one question.
Shakespeare:
Sure, what is it?
Mash:
Sorry if I'm wrong, but are you summoning those enemies–?
Shakespeare:
...Well!
It's time to fight, Master!
Mash:
Answer my question!
--BATTLE--:
Mash:
(panting...)
Shakespeare:
And now it's time for the climax!
Mash:
Uh, are you sure you didn't summon them?
With the power a Caster might use, maybe?
Shakespeare:
Sorry, but I'm not skilled in magecraft at all.
I'm a writer, after all.
Mash:
Right.
You do have a point there–
Shakespeare:
Anyway, there's a villain who's feeling frustrated.
Let's say, his initial is 'S.'
Mash:
S?
Um, Mr. Shakespeare? So it is you–
Shakespeare:
The villain named S grows impatient with the town's neverending peace, curses the people, and to top it all off, he comes up with a plot!
Shakespeare:
It was to use the townspeople!
To incite the townspeople, and turn them into daemons so he can make them attack our heroes.
Mash:
What!?
Shakespeare, is that–!?
Mash:
No way...!?
Shakespeare:
They have no people to protect, no friends to share laughter with.All they do now is shiver with loneliness–
Shakespeare:
"You can give in." The demon whispers.
"You can rest now." The nightmare murmurs.
Shakespeare:
Well, well, well, what are you going to do, Mash Kyrielight? Indeed, what are you going to do, Fujimaru–My Master!?
Mash:
Ugh...
Master!
Fujimaru 1:
We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
Shakespeare:
Ha!
I didn't expect that answer!
Shakespeare:
It essentially means transience, that everything you struggle for in life is merely what happens in your dream.
Shakespeare:
But, however–you are different.
You've perceived a different meaning in it.
Shakespeare:
A dream is hope.
Hope is what is laid with courage and determination.
Shakespeare:
Then, your battle speaks for itself.
For you are the dream!
Fujimaru 2:
I don't care about philosophy.
Shakespeare:
Heheheh, I knew you'd say that!
What you just said is absolutely true, Master!
Shakespeare:
A demon's whisper, reasonable conclusion, and compelling valid argument.All those kinds of things–
Shakespeare:
You're welcome to get over them simply by saying, "I don't care!"
Shakespeare:
Because it is evil in the name of a valid argument.
It is a cowardly trick trying to camouflage the evil with a facade called theory.
Shakespeare:
Just go ahead and do it!
Shakespeare:
You are great, Master.
You are fantastic and invincible!
Mash:
...Yes.
He's absolutely right, Master.
Mash:
I have no doubts. If there's no way to turn them back, we just need to defeat them.
Mash:
I'm coming with you, Master!
--BATTLE--:
Mash:
We defeated them...!
Shakespeare:
Oh, we must hail your victory! ...Now that they won the battle, the end of their dream comes.
Mash:
Huh–?
Mash:
O-Oh?
The town...is gone!?
Shakespeare:
Excellent job, Master.
And you, Mash Kyrielight...the shield and sword.
Shakespeare:
The dream is now over.
You gathered the beautiful threads of your story.
Shakespeare:
Now, let's walk toward the rest of the story. I am certain the transient dream and illusion shall satiate your mind.
Shakespeare:
...And of course, for me, too.
Mash:
From...where to where was it a dream...?
Shakespeare:
–Heheheh. Of course, that's a secret.
Playwrights never reveal their methods so easily.