Chapter 32: Artoria vs. Bluebeard

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In the modern era, if a god wishes to descend to the human world, they have limited options. To become a Heroic Spirit, gods have three primary methods.

The first is to lower their divinity, as seen with the three Gorgon sisters, reducing their overwhelming godly presence to a more manageable state.

The second is through a "Pseudo-Servant," where the god possesses a human vessel. Ishtar and Ereshkigal chose this path, using human bodies as their hosts to interact with the world.

The third is the "Avatar" method, where only a part of the god's spirit descends as a Heroic Spirit. This method was employed by Quetzalcoatl.

For most modern magi, these concepts remain foreign, remnants of ancient myth rather than practical reality. But in this Holy Grail War, even the existence of gods was no longer a distant legend.

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[Ding! The first question is about to begin!]

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The announcement interrupted Kenneth and the others mid-discussion, focusing their attention.

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[This question will consist of three parts. Each question will appear in the video. You will have 5 minutes to answer each question, and all group members may participate.]

[Each correct answer will reward 3 Saint Quartz. An incorrect answer will deduct 1 Saint Quartz.]

[If no one answers correctly within 5 minutes, the question will be discarded.]

[Please watch the following video.]

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The screen shifted to a dark forest. Artoria was making her way through it at night, her expression focused.

She emerged into a clearing and froze, horrified by the sight of the forest floor littered with the bodies of dead children.

"Welcome, Jeanne." Bluebeard's voice echoed from behind, sickly sweet. He appeared, holding a child in one hand, his grotesque joy evident as he pranced about. "What do you think of this tragic scene? Isn't it heartbreaking?"

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Tohsaka Rin: "What… what is this?!"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Rin, Sakura, don't look! Close your eyes!"

Waver: "Bluebeard, you monster! How could you kill so many children!"

Bluebeard: "Ah, what a beautiful sight."

The chat filled with disgust, while Bluebeard only smiled wider. "It's a shame I couldn't attend myself, Joan of Arc," he said, addressing the screen. "Otherwise, I would have prepared an even grander banquet in your honor."

Artoria: "If I encounter you, I swear I will tear you apart!"

The intensity in her voice betrayed her rage. Even Artoria, normally composed and restrained, was visibly shaken by the sight and Gilles' twisted joy.

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In the video, Artoria turned sharply toward Bluebeard. "Let go of that child, you monster!" She prepared to strike, but hesitated, afraid that her attack might harm the child.

Bluebeard laughed. "Joan of Arc, since you so wish to save this little one…" He released his grip on the child with mock sympathy. "Go, little one. The holy messenger will save you."

The terrified child stumbled over to Artoria and clung to her, seeking comfort. Artoria bent down to reassure him. "It's okay now. Let's get you out of here—"

Before she could finish, the child's body erupted, transforming into a monstrous black tentacle that coiled around Artoria, binding her tightly. Around her, the other children's corpses stirred, morphing into similar dark, twisted shapes.

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"These creatures… what are they?!"

The audience was shocked.

Artoria: "Bluebeard, you despicable fiend!"

Waver: "Gilles de Rais, no matter where you appear, you're detestable."

General Tiangong: "To summon monsters with the bodies of children… truly vile."

Waver: "Chihiro, I… I apologize."

Chihiro: "Huh? For what?"

Waver: "When you killed Ryunosuke Uryu, I thought you'd gone too far. But now… I realize we should be grateful. Who knows how many would've suffered had that madman joined forces with Caster."

Diarmuid: "Indeed. To think such a villain could become a Heroic Spirit… it's appalling."

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Onscreen, Bluebeard raised a thick, ominous tome, a gleeful smile on his face. "I warned you I would come back prepared."

His twisted joy made Artoria grit her teeth in fury. She activated the power of her Invisible Air, the shroud around her sword bursting forth and severing the monstrous tentacle holding her. Her eyes flashed with determination.

"Oh, Jeanne, your bravery is beyond compare," Bluebeard crooned. "You shine brighter than any god."

"Enough, Caster!" Artoria snapped. "I draw my sword now for only one purpose—to end you!"

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The King of Conquerors: "What exactly are those creatures?"

Waver: "They resemble sea monsters, perhaps… krakens?"

Chihiro: "Let's call them sea demons for now. It'll help us differentiate."

Tohsaka Rin: "You even gave them a name…"

Chihiro: "Just as a code. Otherwise, we're stuck calling them octopuses."

Tohsaka Rin: "Fine. Sea demons, then."

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Onscreen, Artoria charged at Bluebeard, her sword flashing as she cut down any creature in her way. Yet no matter how many she slew, more sea demons rose to replace them.

"Damn it," murmured the King of Conquerors, "it seems something is hampering your movements, King of Knights."

Diarmuid: "Yes, it's likely her injury. My Yellow Rose's curse should still be affecting her left arm."

The scene seemed to confirm this, as Artoria briefly clutched her left arm in frustration. "If only my left arm could move…"

Despite her efforts, the sea demons continued to multiply, endlessly summoned by Bluebeard's dark magic.

"How is this possible?" Artoria muttered. "Does that man have infinite magical energy?"

As she glanced around, her eyes narrowed on the tome in Bluebeard's hands.

Waver: "That book… it must be Bluebeard's Noble Phantasm. It seems to be the source of these creatures."

King of Conquerors: "Does anyone know what that book is called?"

The Second: "That is the Prelati's Spellbook: Textbook of Sunken Spiral Castle, both his Noble Phantasm and the core of his magic. Gilles de Rais has no formal training in magic; he relies on that tome to perform his rituals, and it provides him with its own vast reserves of magical energy."

Kenneth: "That explains why he can summon so many of these monsters without weakening."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "A magician with no magic… and yet he's classified as a Caster." (T/N: Wait till you see an Archer that fights with dolphins bro)