The filthy shadow towering in the darkness pressed toward the shore, exuding a terrifying oppressive force.
Yet, at this moment, a sense of awkwardness loomed among those on the dam. Although the sudden appearance of the sea monster had caused the Servants to form a temporary alliance, Kurumi's mocking taunts left Diarmuid feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"...So, Einzbern's Servant. What's your strategy for that creature?" Rider, trying to ease the tension, redirected the conversation towards Saber with a casual laugh.
"I..." Saber clasped her hands around her invisible sword, lifting it. She was about to suggest that her Excalibur, being an anti-fortress Noble Phantasm, might be able to annihilate the sea monster Caster had summoned.
However, before she could finish her sentence, she felt something cling to her from behind, resting on her shoulders.
Cool, soft skin pressed against her cheek, with ink-black hair cascading down, tickling slightly. A soft, alluring voice whispered into her ear.
"My true body possesses a Noble Phantasm capable of destroying Caster's sea monster. It's on its way."
"Oh, how straightforward, Miss Avenger! To openly reveal your Noble Phantasm like that." Rider looked at Kurumi, whose current posture—dangling off Saber in a soft, almost witch-like manner—seemed a bit too playful. Yet, Rider admired her boldness in exposing such critical information.
A Servant's Noble Phantasm, like their true name, could reveal their identity and weaknesses. It was often a trump card, a path to victory.
However, for someone like Kurumi, concealing her identity seemed unnecessary.
But her words dropped like a bomb among the Masters. Did Avenger truly possess a Noble Phantasm powerful enough to defeat the gigantic sea monster? At the very least, it would have to be an anti-fortress-level Noble Phantasm—or even higher.
How could they win now?
But does it really have to be her true body? Let's take note of that for later...
"And how long will it take for your true body to arrive?" Rider asked. The sea monster's emergence had already caused panic near the residential areas. Although the thick fog obscured visibility, some curious citizens were starting to gather at the nearby embankment.
Regardless of the situation, the unspoken rule that the Holy Grail War must remain hidden had been thoroughly shattered.
"Within ten minutes," Kurumi responded.
"Ten minutes, huh..." The burly man pondered. "Then allow us to act as the vanguard!"
"Hahaha, then let me clear the path with the first strike!" Rider laughed heartily, spurring his furious bull forward as thunder rumbled across the sky. Amid Weber's long scream, the King of Conquerors charged toward the sea monster, his Noble Phantasm transformed into a bolt of lightning.
"Avenger!?" Saber glanced at Kurumi. They were on the same team, after all. The exposure of any Noble Phantasm was a risk.
As someone whose identity as King Arthur had already been revealed, it made sense for Saber to use her Noble Phantasm. Kurumi's revelation of her 'Noble Phantasm' would only make everyone more wary of her.
"Excalibur... should only be used as a last resort," a soft, breathy voice murmured in Saber's ear, the warm, moist fragrance sending shivers down her spine like a gentle electric shock.
"Besides... for me, the sea monster is a 'feast.'"
"A feast...?" Saber trembled slightly. Kurumi's lowered red eyes gazed down at the sea monster with the indifference of a god.
She really is a devil.
Saber shrugged Kurumi off her shoulders and dashed toward the sea monster.
"You're really a heartless one, aren't you?" Kurumi straightened herself.
"Avenger, that was too much," Irisviel couldn't help but chide. "Clinging to someone like that..."
"Oh dear, Irisviel, how cruel!" Kurumi pouted dramatically at Irisviel. "We've already done so many things together, and yet you still speak to me like this."
"That was just...!" Irisviel tried to argue but hesitated, unable to voice certain things publicly. "Why does it sound so strange when you put it that way?"
As a mature lady with a youthful appearance, she couldn't possibly out-argue Kurumi.
"Dear Irisviel, I've already explored every inch of your body," Kurumi grinned devilishly. "Now you're just discarding me after being satisfied?"
"Y-y-you...!" Irisviel's face flushed bright red.
"Avenger, now's the time to fight the sea monster," Lancer couldn't help but interject. Watching Irisviel, a pure princess, being teased by Kurumi like this was too much for him to bear.
"Huh!?" Kurumi raised an eyebrow. "And why are you still here?"
"I lack the ability to fight continuously on the water's surface," Lancer frowned.
"Oh?" Kurumi arched her brow again, her expression seeming to say, "You're really that useless?"
"Forget it." Lancer turned into spirit form and reappeared atop the massive creature.
—
As brave as Diarmuid was, he was clearly at a disadvantage against the sea monster. He could only tread on the writhing tentacles, slicing through them one by one. If he fell too close to the water's surface, he would have to revert to spirit form and find another advantageous position.
In stark contrast, Saber raced across the water's surface, which felt as solid as the earth beneath her feet, thanks to the blessing of the Lady of the Lake. Wind pressure tore through the creature's tentacles, but compared to the entire sea monster, the damage from her blade was insignificant.
The one dealing the most damage was Rider. Every bolt of lightning he summoned tore through the creature's walls of flesh. But soon, they realized a new problem—the sea monster's regeneration was far too rapid.
Lightning struck the water, sending pillars of water soaring into the air.
"Saber, Lancer!" Rider shouted. "That thing is moving toward the shore!"
On the other side, a large crowd of confused onlookers had gathered. Strange noises echoed from the mist, like a scene from a movie, though no one could see what was happening.
Amongst the fog, huge tentacles seemed ready to emerge.
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