Chapter 35: Here’s a Joke, the Holy Grail War is Supposed to be Secret
A heavy purple mist hung over the Mion River, and thick dark clouds loomed overhead as if the sky were about to collapse, with lightning raging across the heavens.
This strange phenomenon, caused by incredible sorcery, was a near-miraculous sight—something one would expect only in the Age of Gods.
An unusually thick and almost viscous magical aura drew the attention of all the participants in the war.
Just like before, Caster had no intention of hiding himself whatsoever.
Despite having become the target of every other Servant, he openly appeared in the heart of Fuyuki City, standing on the surface of the Mion River.
He looked every bit the madman.
In his hands, the Grimoire of Prelati's Spellbook exuded overwhelming magical power, and a nauseating purple aura visibly condensed and sank from the book, made of human skin, into the water below.
From the grimoire, an endless vortex of chaotic magical energy spiraled outward, distorting the space around it.
The dense fog was merely a byproduct of this magic.
Beneath Caster's feet, dark, alien shadows swam and coiled, forming something akin to a shallow reef, allowing him to stand on the water.
"Ryūnosuke, look, look! This brilliant spectacle is all for you," Caster said, his freakish, bulging fish-like eyes filled with fanaticism and madness.
A silver beast was racing toward the Seaside Park.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
Its elegant, streamlined body was now streaking toward the center of Fuyuki City like a flash of light, the inline-six engine roaring madly in the night.
For Saber, who possessed the Riding: A skill, controlling this modern mount was effortless.
With the blessings of the miracle that was a Heroic Spirit, this marvelous machine seemed to come to life, and with each of Saber's breaths, it surged with her immense magical power, transforming into a modern-day phantasmal beast.
The silver dragon soared across the land. Despite having previously criticized Irisviel's driving, Saber was now moving through the city at speeds twice as fast as Irisviel had on the highway.
The silvery beast even leaped into the air, soaring over the cars ahead as if it were a dream.
"Maybe we should buy some of the latest tanks or fighter jets on the black market," Irisviel said with utter seriousness, clearly influenced by Kiritsugu.
In just fifteen minutes, Saber had already brought Irisviel to the dam beside the Mion River. And this was after she had halved her speed upon entering Fuyuki City.
On the river's surface, filthy masses of flesh and tentacles were writhing wildly, towering up into the sky and tightly encircling Caster.
From the dark-red shadow, a pale figure gradually emerged, taking on a most beautiful form—Kurumi.
It was a clone, Saber quickly realized.
Then, as she and Kurumi locked eyes, Saber stepped out onto the water. Under the blessing of the Lady of the Lake, no body of water could hinder her movement.
The water beneath her feet felt as solid as the ground. With each step, her magical energy roared, weaving the form of her blue dress and silver armor. Holding her invisible sword, Saber charged at Caster.
Kurumi, standing by Irisviel's side, casually pulled the trigger of her gun, providing cover for Saber.
Each bullet she fired carried a terrifying aura of disaster, and the tentacles hit by them visibly withered and decayed.
It was the curse of destruction attached to the weapon known as Dark Blood Calamity.
"Oh, I'm honored by your presence, my saintly maiden," Caster said, bowing reverently to Saber, surrounded by countless magical creatures. "But I'm sorry, Jeanne, today's grand feast is not for you."
"But if you wish to join, I... I would be overjoyed," he added.
An endless sea of magical creatures blocked Saber's path, and her sword winds were unable to cut them all down.
Then, through her instincts, Saber sensed a terrifying presence about to erupt from beneath the water. She instantly released the Invisible Air surrounding her blade, creating a whirlwind that cleared away the tentacles. With a powerful stomp, she leapt back to the shore.
"Enjoy it to your heart's content! This is a banquet of death and corruption, hosted by none other than the humble Gilles de Rais!" Caster spread his arms wide, and countless writhing, eye-covered tentacles climbed over his body, swallowing him completely.
"Let us once again raise the banner of our salvation!" The surface of the river, bubbling with foam, surged as the monstrous creatures transformed into filthy masses of flesh, rising toward the sky.
The loathsome, revolting magical power solidified, and the colossal monster began to take form amid the writhing flesh. Its unspeakable, nightmarish form spread an aura that chilled the soul.
Given the depth of the Mion River, the size of this creature was nothing short of staggering.
Caster's arrogant, low voice echoed through the night, mingling with the grotesque, grating sounds of the monsters writhing in agony. Across the river, lights in the nearby houses flickered on as the uproar began to spread.
"Gather, all ye who have been forsaken!"
"Come under my command, under my rule!"
Caster's voice, amplified by magic, grew louder and louder, and he laughed maniacally.
"The lament of the downtrodden will surely reach the ears of the gods."
"O mighty Lord, let me sing your praises through the contempt of men!"
"O proud God! O cold-hearted God! We shall drag you down from your lofty throne!"
The filthy masses of flesh coalesced, taking on the form of the unspeakable monster's true body. In other words, everything Caster had summoned before was merely fragments of this creature.
Amid the thick fog, it was the very nightmare that ruled over all seas and waters—the Sea Demon.
Here's a joke: our Holy Grail War is supposed to be secret.
Through the thunder, a radiant chariot descended from the sky, carrying Rider and his Master.
"Ha-ha-ha! Greetings, Saber... and Avenger," the robust man laughed. "Though now doesn't seem like the time for pleasantries."
Saber's expression remained solemn, while Kurumi simply smiled gently, standing by Irisviel's side.
From the distant steel jungle, a figure wielding twin pistols rushed toward them.
"That thing..." Lancer's face was filled with gravity.
"It's been invited to feast," Kurumi smiled, her words chilling. "It's here with no purpose, no goal, simply to enjoy the banquet this city provides."
...
"So, what's the plan now?" Rider asked everyone.
"If I could just see the true body..." Lancer lifted his crimson spear. "I could destroy the spell with Gáe Dearg, the Red Rose of Exorcism."
"Tch, if we could see the true body, anyone could kill Caster," Kurumi mocked with a playful sneer.
"You..." Lancer began to retort but quickly held himself back.
What else could he do? He couldn't beat her, couldn't outtalk her. All he could do was simmer with quiet anger to get through the day.
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