Chapter 61: Shinji's Battle

Looking at Saber in this state, a look of trance and reverence appeared on Caster's face.

"How nostalgic it is, Jeanne. Everything is just like the past. You haven't changed, indeed. The noble fighting spirit and dignified soul are undeniable evidence of your identity as the Holy Maiden Jeanne. In that case--"

Caster's voice shifted from gentleness to anger, turning into an interrogation.

"Why? Why haven't you awakened yet? Do you still believe in God's protection? Do you think miracles will come to save you in this desperate situation?"

"It's truly sigh-inducing! Have you forgotten the Battle of Compiegne? Have you forgotten how the trap set by God brought you down from the pinnacle of glory to the depths of destruction? After enduring so much humiliation, are you still content being a puppet manipulated by God?"

Saber seemed to have had enough of Caster's ramblings. It seemed like she found an opening and was preparing to launch an assault against Caster.

Just at that moment, a tentacle pierced through from below the monsters, cunningly hooking Saber's ankle.

Before Saber could cut off the tentacle, four more tentacles emerged from under Caster's robe, respectively locking Saber's hands, waist, and neck.

Accompanying the tentacles were the surrounding monsters, whose numbers had already exceeded the limit that Saber's "Mana Burst" could blow away. Everything was under Caster's control as the beautiful "Holy Maiden" was ensnared in the web formed by the monsters.

At the critical moment, a flash of red and yellow lightning passed by, repelling that strange group.

In front of Saber, who had been released from her restraints and was gasping for breath, a slender figure dressed in a blue-gray bodysuit appeared.

"How unsightly, Saber. If your sword isn't any sharper, the title of the King of Knights will weep."

This extraordinarily beautiful man directed a dazzling glance at the stunned Saber.

It was precisely because she possessed anti-magic abilities that she could withstand that bewitching gaze. In contrast to the blazing intensity of his spears, the smile of Lancer appeared incredibly refreshing.

"Lancer, why?"

Caster was much more surprised than Saber.

"Who are you? Who allowed you to interrupt my affairs?"

"That's what I was going to say, you wicked being."

Lancer stared coldly at the enraged Caster, pointing the front end of his left-hand spear at him.

"Saber's head is the medal on the tip of my spear."

"Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense!"

Caster grabbed his scalp, bulging his eyes and making strange sounds.

"It was my prayers, my Holy Grail that brought her back to life. She belongs to me. Every piece of her flesh, every drop of blood, even her soul, they are all mine."

Lancer was not overwhelmed by Caster's aura. He shrugged his shoulders and sighed deeply. "Listen carefully, Caster. I have no interest in obstructing your love affair. If you insist on making Saber yield to you, go ahead and do it. But..."

"...it was me who wounded Saber's left hand. In other words, only I have the right to exploit that weakness. I will not allow you to dismiss me, Diarmuid, and defeat Saber, who can only use one hand. If you don't step aside, my spear will take the place of Saber's left hand from now on."

The handsome warrior spoke with resolute determination, stirring Saber's emotions.

"Lancer, you..."

"Saber, please don't misunderstand."

Lancer used his gaze to stop Saber from saying more.

"I came to help you today because I received an order to defeat Caster. I believe that cooperating in battle is the best approach. What do you think?"

Lancer's explanation wasn't the real reason for him coming to rescue Saber. The most efficient tactic would be to flank the enemy while Caster was fully focused on Saber and launch a surprise attack.

Saber didn't ask him why. She simply nodded at Lancer, who had a smile playing at the corners of his mouth and stood at his right side. She no longer paid attention to her left side, as now she had her most trustworthy left arm.

"Let's get this straight. Even if I only have my left hand, I can still take down a hundred of these small fry."

"Hmph, that's nothing. Today, just pretend I'm your left hand."

The two Heroic Spirits bantered with each other and charged towards the gathering monsters. Their swords and spears cleaved through the numerous tentacles that extended from all directions.

...

Saber was rescued by Lancer and escaped the predicament, but things weren't going so well for Shinji.

In the underground sewer at midnight, where no one would come, he had to rely on himself.

Shinji didn't have time to observe the ground beneath him. He quickly lay down on the ground, and the tentacles brushed against his back, causing the airflow to tremble at the back of his head.

The wall in front of him was undoubtedly crushed and cracked by the tentacles brimming with tremendous power. However, unlike many classic scenes, it didn't reveal any hidden secret doors. The wall was solid, with endless sand and soil behind it.

The shattered cement fell onto Shinji's head, but he didn't have time to cry out in pain. He planted his hands on the ground, exerted force, and stood up.

At the same time, the tentacles retracted, and the pointed tips of the antennae curled backward like a python, entangling Shinji.

Shinji didn't dodge because he was surrounded by tentacles on all sides, with no way to escape. He tightly gripped the Harpe in both hands, his pale lips moved slightly, and an almost inaudible voice slipped through his clenched teeth.

A magical storm howled, and the brilliance of prana shone unprecedentedly, illuminating the nearby underground sewer as bright as day.

At the center of the storm, where the brilliance was the most dazzling, a golden shield appeared out of thin air.

In Greek mythology, the "King of the Gods," Zeus, had a shield made of goat skin. Although the shield was made of goat's skin, it was filled with magic (almost all magic in the Age of Gods was considered True Magic). Even Zeus' symbol, thunder, couldn't harm the shield.

Later, Zeus gave this shield to the goddess Athena, who then lent it to the great hero of ancient Greece, Perseus.

The name of this shield was—

"Aegis!"

A divine shield that could withstand even Zeus's thunder couldn't leave any marks on the shield, but the power contained in the tentacles couldn't be nullified by the divine shield.

The tentacles tightened more and more, tightly entwining Shinji and the lower half of his body protected by the divine shield. Within a few seconds, Shinji could hear his bones protesting.

If it were an ordinary child, they would have cried loudly long ago. But Shinji didn't cry.

Not only did he not cry, but he also laughed because—he had finally bought enough time.

He lifted his left hand, which was difficult to move, and pressed it against the smooth inner side of the shield.

In an instant, the shining surface of the divine shield seemed to be covered in shadows, its brilliance dimmed.

The source of the shadows was a face.

Exquisite, as if carved from the finest obsidian, the face of a woman.

The woman's eyes were tightly closed, her expression serene, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

Scales grew on her forehead and cheeks, and her hair was composed of vivid, lifelike snakes.

The woman's name was Medusa, and her severed head became the greatest glory of Perseus's life.