[Himeko was still calling out to March 7th from the other end of the phone, but there was no response from the earpiece anymore.]
[She realized something was wrong and quickly told Dan Heng and Stelle to go rescue her. Argenti also volunteered himself and requested that Velite come along as well.]
[The group arrived in the room and saw a huge... bug.]
[Dan Heng reacted quickly, pulling March 7th behind him in one swift motion and assuming a combat stance. Argenti's gaze sharpened, his expression rarely serious: "Ugly... disharmonious tones have been plucked out. Stelle, we must act to eliminate it."]
[These bugs weren't particularly powerful, but they could replicate one by one. Fortunately, Argenti acted fast enough—a single sweeping shot from his gun wiped them all out.]
["I never expected we would meet again... True Sting." Argenti said word by word.]
["Huh?"]
["Uh... Back when Argenti found me in the cave, I was being chased madly by a bunch of these bugs..." Velite recalled with lingering fear, his face somewhat pale.]
[Argenti had thought he had already driven out all the True Stings earlier, but now it seemed these bugs were still pursuing them. He looked at Velite: "Could it be... Velite, could it be that you've been contaminated with the Swarm's pheromones?"]
[Velite had no idea about this, but Dan Heng had some knowledge: "I read about True Stings in the data bank. When this type of insect flaps its wings, it sheds fibrous debris that causes hallucinations in those who inhale it."]
[This was also why March 7th saw another version of herself in the room.]
——
For the sake of a wonderful world, cheers!
"Bugs... that's just way too gross!" Seeing March 7th turn into a bug on the celestial screen, Kazuma's face turned ashen as he covered his mouth and stepped back a few paces, "Ugh—! My eyes..."
Aqua was stunned at first, then pointed at Kazuma and burst into uncontrollable laughter: "Hahahaha! Kazuma! Didn't you just say 'a March 7th with an onee-san personality would be nice too'? And now? And now? It's a bug! A slimy, sticky bug!"
"Enough, I don't want to hear it!" Kazuma gritted his teeth, "Good thing these bugs aren't big, but this constant splitting trait is kind of a pain."
"Hmm-hmm~" A glint of delight flashed in Megumin's red eyes as she proudly lifted her chin, "Kazuma, hurry up and ask me why I learned Explosion magic! Explosion magic is perfect for clearing out swarms of these small-fry monsters, right~? Kazuma, here's your chance—want to learn Explosion magic with me?"
"If this world ever gets invaded by True Stings in the future, you'd at least have a fighting chance~ Otherwise, what could your Thief class even steal from True Stings? They don't wear panties for you to pilfer."
"...Please don't state your wild guesses like they're established facts." Kazuma dug at his ear, "And besides, what use is your Explosion magic that can only be cast once a day? Carrying you alone while running is already exhausting enough."
"And even if True Stings really appeared in this world, just let Darkness draw the aggro and it'd be fine, right? With how much of a masochist she is, she'd probably get stung half to death and enjoy it immensely."
——
[Considering the extremely strong reproductive ability of these bugs, Dan Heng suggested searching the Express first and dealing with any eggs immediately upon discovery.]
[But this was too inefficient. Pom-Pom said they could use the Express's movable plot device, which could view footage from different rooms at any time. Through this device, Stelle observed that in Dan Heng's room, Argenti was currently talking to a True Sting.]
[But when the view switched to Argenti's perspective, the creature before him was not a True Sting, but an adorable being called a "Wuwu Bo."]
[Argenti eagerly began praising it, sincerely complimenting: "You must often be described as 'cute'—does that ever trouble you? Please believe me, your essence cannot be contained by that single word. Round orb, your name is—'Charm.'"]
["No need for more words. Meeting a lifeform like you moves me deeply, but I will never relax my demand for spiritual asceticism because of it. If I cannot resolve this crisis, I shall use death to vindicate my knightly honor."]
["Beautiful existences, are you also believers?"]
[March 7th was dumbfounded in front of the lens: "What what what, how is he communicating so earnestly with a bug..."]
[No time to delay—everyone immediately rushed to Dan Heng's room to eliminate the bug and rescue Argenti from the illusion. After Argenti described the beautiful creature he saw, Dan Heng speculated that the dust could make those who inhaled it manifest something akin to their "personal desires."]
——
Fate.
"Even polite to bugs? You knights sure are interesting..." Sasaki Kojirou looked at Saber with an amused expression.
"Ahem... this is Argenti's personal behavior. Please don't generalize it to all knights!" Saber cleared her throat, her face red as she picked up a cup of hot tea, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere on the scene.
"Speaking of which, the things produced after inhaling the dust that match one's personal desires... isn't that just like a false Holy Grail?" Emiya Shirou reminded from the side.
"...Now that's quite interesting." Sasaki Kojirou chuckled softly, "My wish is to complete the deathmatch I never experienced in life. Could the True Sting manifest some powerful foe for me?"
"A deathmatch never experienced... How about manifesting Jingliu? Or Jing Yuan would be fine too." But Lancer spread his hands, "Still, your wish is hard to fulfill—after all, no matter what illusion the True Sting creates, the opponent you see is still just a bug in strength."
"Compared to you all, I'm actually more curious what kind of illusion Stelle would see if she inhaled the dust."
"Probably..." Saber thought for a moment, "Probably a bunch of trash cans? Doesn't she love those the most?"
——
["Such an ugly threat from the Swarm—before it dies, its words might be worth referencing, after all, 'the words of a dying bug are kind'..."]
[Dan Heng asked puzzledly: "You mean the bug conveyed information to you before it died?"]
["That's right. I will relay its final words—'Revel in your shallow victory all you want. You will never detect the existence of the Overlord!'"]