บท 418: C418
Shirou's expression turned gloomy as he looked at the majestic form of Gugalanna emerging from the sea. This creature wasn't just about using its massive body to defeat enemies like a Merem's whale. It was a genuine high-level Divine Beast, boasting not only an enormous physique but also wielding a portion of the goddess Ishtar's authority.
Just its movement alone could cause disasters equivalent to meteor impacts, and the authority it held could emit radiance akin to stars capable of burying the sky.
At that moment, Gugalanna stood half-submerged in the sea, its upper body towering even higher than the Fuyuki Bridge. If it were to step fully out of the water, it would likely become a colossal monster, dwarfing even the size of a Merem's whale.
Shirou kept his eyes locked on Ishtar, who was exchanging heated words with Gil up in the sky. In his hand, he projected Rhongomyniad and unleashed a Light Cannon aimed at her!
Ishtar, who was engaged in a verbal spar with Gil, noticed Shirou's Light Cannon. She extended her hand slightly and projected the image of Venus around her, effectively blocking the Light Cannon.
Shirou's brow furrowed.
At this moment, a particular will within him showed a subtle sign of surprised emotional fluctuation.
— Venus...? What's Venus doing on earth?
Without a doubt, the emotional ripples stirring within him had a unique source—they originated from none other than Crimson Moon, the entity that had infiltrated Shirou with the "Vampiric Evil," and now resided within him.
Crimson Moon, apart from harboring occasional desires to outright control him, would occasionally meddle with his body through his will. Yet, his attempts had always fallen short of success.
The faint Venusian image dissolved, and displeasure clouded Ishtar's expression as she demanded, "How audacious! Who dares to lay an ambush for the flawless and perfect me? This is a grave disrespect to a goddess!"
"It's me." Shirou said in a low voice.
"You?" Her attention shifted from Gil to him. Irritation laced her words, "You've dared to assault the impeccably beautiful me? Human, your disrespect deserves nothing short of death!"
"Death?" He chuckled. "From someone like you? Do you have it in you?"
Ishtar's lips twitched, her frustration clear as she replied, "Another impudent human! Those who fail to please me will be annihilated!! And you... hmm? Wait..."
Abruptly, her fury-fueled expression froze. She rubbed her eyes, scrutinized Shirou closely, and muttered with disbelief, "Wha... what jest is this? Why is it yet another vessel of calamity? Huh? And there's also a wielder of holy sword?"
Ishtar couldn't help but fix her gaze on Artoria, who had a tight grip on Excalibur. Her expression showed clear surprise as she mumbled under her breath, "Holy sword wielder and a vessel of calamity teaming up? What kind of weird world did I end up in?"
Shirou didn't really pay attention to the goddess's confusion. If there was any hostility aimed at them, he couldn't afford to hold back.
He felt a spark of determination as he held Rhongomyniad and launched an attack at Ishtar!
But his strike was met with the projection of Venus surrounding her figure, effectively blocking the attack.
Shirou's brow creased.
Meanwhile, Gugalanna, which had been calmly standing on the sea, suddenly turned wild as it caught sight of Ishtar being attacked. It let out a deep roar, a low sound that triggered a massive storm spreading in all directions.
The ocean churned, enormous waves surged, and the Fuyuki Bridge trembled as if hit by a tsunami. Just like a tidal wave!
Shirou quirked an eyebrow and said to Gilgamesh, "Gil, I'll take care of the goddess; you handle the Bull of Heaven!"
"Got it!" Gil replied, "But don't underestimate that woman. Despite the limitations of the doll's body, it's currently channeling the essence of a god!"
"Got it. I'll handle her. You deal with the Bull. We can't let it reach the shore!"
"Of course!" Gil responded, heading back to the golden Uruk No. 1.
"Crackle!"
A multitude of Noble Phantasms were transformed into projectiles by the golden Uruk, pelting the slowly advancing Gugalanna.
Ishtar wanted to launch an attack on the golden Uruk, but she was interrupted by a shot from Rhongomyniad.
She turned her gaze towards him.
"I'm your opponent."
"A vessel of calamity... Well then, if you're so eager to be crushed by me, I'll make your wish come true!" Ishtar's expression grew darker, her eyes revealing a touch of annoyance.
She launched an attack at Shirou. However, instead of using the power of Venus, she charged right at him. Her speed surpassed human limits and undoubtedly entered the realm of the divine.
He didn't have time to reach for the class card. Swiftly, he brought out the black mud and projected multiple shields for defense. He thought that the defense might not hold, similar to what happened with Astraea earlier.
Yet, the anticipated attack never came. Looking up, he saw Ishtar stopping not far from him, looking at the black mud enveloping his body with a disgusted expression.
"So... utterly repulsive!" Disgust twisted her features as she glanced at the black mud around him. "To think I almost stepped on something like this... never mind, it'd make me sick."
She composed herself and stated, "I'll overlook your earlier insolence, but keep your distance from me!"
"Heh," Shirou chuckled.
He had discovered her fatal weakness. Even without summoning the Eternal King, he could defeat this goddess.
The black mud surged from his body, turning into a black tide. Smirking, he moved toward her.
"No... don't come any closer!"
She turned pale and ran away. As the goddess of beauty, she really didn't want to be tainted by something so repulsive. It would be as if her body and soul were being defiled.
Gugalanna, the Bull of Heaven, sensed Ishtar's distress and let out an even more furious roar, its movements growing increasingly agitated.
Rumble—
The sea began to churn!
Gil's expression tightened as he maneuvered the golden Uruk towards the vicinity of the Bull of Heaven.
Rumble~
The Chains of Heaven coiled around Gugalanna, firmly restraining its movements. Gil then unleashed a barrage of numerous Noble Phantasms, bombarding the colossal creature.
Boom, rumble, rumble, rumble—!!!
Countless Noble Phantasms sparked on the body of the Heavenly Bull, but they couldn't harm it.
Naturally, this was to be expected. The bull was a top-tier Divine Beast. Back when it was defeated, it took the combined efforts of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, both of whom were still alive during the age of gods.
Although the summoned bull was not a complete entity and was far weaker than the Gugalanna of myth, the present Gil was also not in his complete form. Even though he was driving the golden Uruk, it was still difficult for him to deal with Gugalanna single-handedly.
Looking at Ishtar fleeing in panic from Shirou's black mud, Beatrice couldn't help but comment, "Pathetic!"
She hoisted the Hammer high, encircled by crackling thunder serpents. Her eyes sparked with untamed lightning.
Understanding that despite her superior attributes, Artoria would outmatch her in close combat, Beatrice chose to take the offensive from a distance.
"All-Crushing Hammer of the Thunder God—"
In an instant, the clear sky was filled with thunderous roars. The blue lightning turned into thunder dragons, swirling in the sky. A terrifying divine aura descended slowly from the sky, as if an immense mountain was pressing down, making it hard to breathe.
However—
Artoria didn't use Excalibur in her hand. Instead, she flung it directly at Beatrice.
The holy sword streaked across the night sky, gleaming in the dark. It homed in on Beatrice, forcing her to halt her Noble Phantasm release and awkwardly divert the path of the holy sword.
As she parried the sword, Artoria was already up close. With a cold expression, she extended her fist and struck Beatrice's abdomen.
She attempted to swing the Hammer for a counterattack, but Artoria allowed her no opportunity. Punch after punch landed on the same vulnerable spot on Beatrice's abdomen.
Close-quarter combat!
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