Earth Princess? No, it's Fujimaru Ritsuka!

Page 330

They all sensed, to varying degrees, the unusual events that had occurred in this Holy Grail War.

Of course, apart from the master and servant group, they were completely out of it and had no idea what had happened.

Caster Gilles de Rais.

As the Caster summoned in this Holy Grail War, Marshal Gilles despondent is even more insane than the Marshal Gilles in the First Singularity.

At least, Marshal Gilles in the First Singularity could still see Joan of Arc.

And this Field Marshal Gilles...

He saw Jeanne d'Arc [Artoria], but she didn't recognize him!

This was unbearable for him.

This dates back to what happened on Irisviel and Saber's way back to Winter Castle.

Irisviel was driving recklessly on a steep mountain road when she encountered a Servant blocking her way.

Without distinguishing right from wrong, the other party called him "Joan of Arc" to his face.

No matter what Artoria said, the other party simply wouldn't listen.

They insist on calling her Joan of Arc.

Who the hell is Joan of Arc?

Are you blind?

That being said, since the enemy servants have come knocking, then fighting is the only option, right?

So Artoria naturally picked up her sword, intending to fight her opponent.

Before they could even exchange two blows, the other person ran away!

That's right, Artoria had no idea what this guy was there for. He just wanted to annoy her a couple of times before leaving behind a nonsensical, wizard-like, disgusting smile and running away.

What exactly is this guy planning to do...?

Artoria had absolutely no idea what Caster was planning to do.

Later, based on the arrest warrant issued by the Fuyuki Church, she understood... this guy was indiscriminately killing innocent people by any means necessary.

This is unbearable.

The multiple murders in the vicinity have caused widespread panic, and this is definitely not something that can be easily covered up with an excuse like a "gas explosion."

Therefore, the Fuyuki Church adheres to the principle that the Holy Grail War is conducted in secret.

As a knight, even if one participates in the Holy Grail War, such a thing is absolutely intolerable.

Artoria and Irisviel chose to launch a direct attack.

In a direct confrontation, no matter how hard Caster tries, she cannot defeat Saber head-on. However, if she sets up a defense beforehand, even if Saber wants to force her way into Caster's workshop, she will have to think twice.

But even so,

Caster isn't a serious opponent either.

This is the current situation for Artoria.

With the support of a perfect homunculus and Artoria of Avalon, she is even able to defeat Gilgamesh in this Holy Grail War.

If this were a normal Holy Grail War...

It seems that Artoria has already won.

—This is the second night of the Holy Grail War.

—It is located more than 30 kilometers west of Fuyuki City.

This is a national highway, running east to west, like a line cutting through remote mountainous areas far from human habitation. Along this highway lies a dense forest, a forest that has not been developed in any way.

Forgotten by the bustling construction, it seems to have been isolated from the modern world.

In the heart of this dense forest, there stands a castle.

The castle existed before World War II, during the Third Holy Grail War.

“Irisviel, I can sense Caster’s presence.”

Artoria waited quietly in the forest.

Irisviel sat quietly in the castle’s drawing room, projecting the image of the intrusion into the Einzbern magic barrier onto a crystal ball.

"Didn't expect Caster to come looking for us?"

Looking at the gloomy man in the crystal ball, dressed in a black robe with bulging eyes, she suddenly felt an unprecedented physical discomfort.

The stench of battle wafted into the jungle.

A strange black robe fluttered, and the scarlet patterns stained on it resembled blood, floating in the shadows... It must have been human blood. Considering the previous kidnapping and murder cases, it was highly likely that this eerie Caster was responsible.

What's even more infuriating is...

Caster clearly did not come to greet the "Saintess" alone.

He brought more than a dozen human children with him, who were likely kidnapped from elsewhere. All of them were controlled by magic, like wandering ghosts.

"What exactly does he want to do...?"

A thick, dark fog spread out from Caster.

With Einzbern's support, Marshal Gilles knew he was no match for Saber, but even so, he still led the children into the forest.

"Oooooooooo!"

"Holy Maiden!"

"I am Gilles de Rais, and I have come to greet you!"

The magician manipulated the child to approach Artoria.

He raised his large, piercing eyes, which were wide open like those of a hawk, and gave a polite smile before bowing respectfully to Artoria.

"Shut up, you demon!"

A surge of anger welled up inside Artoria.

Having learned of the unexpected turn of events in the Holy Grail War and the possibility that her wish might not be fulfilled, she was already in a bad mood. Now, Gilles de Rais's actions had crossed the line for knights... something Artoria simply couldn't accept.

This is not just anger, but also the duty of a king.

"You actually came up with such a despicable method, you bastard! Don't you have any pride as a Heroic Spirit?"

Keng——!

The holy sword, gleaming with golden light, materialized in Artoria's hand.

"Aaaaaah! Joan of Arc! You're still the same as always!"

"I am not Joan of Arc!"

Artoria retorted again, her voice as cold as ice, deliberately lowering her volume.

Gilles de Rais wore a pained and angry smile.

"It's alright, it's alright, Joan of Arc..."

The magician's devilish claws, with their rotting, dead skin seemingly glued to the bones, gripped a child's head.

Even if the gods erase your memories, I will still support you in my own way, Saintly Maiden!

As he said this, he tightened his grip even more.

Although he is just a weak magician, he is still a follower... The power in his hands is enough to easily crush a child's skull.

"stop--"

Artoria gripped her sword tightly.

For a moment, they dared not make any rash moves.

There is no doubt that the other side is holding hostages.

"Come..."

"Joan of Arc..."

Gilles de Rais's face contorted with madness as he stood within the barrier, laughing heartily, before a snapping sound rang out.

"Let me see your face, so righteous yet twisted with rage!"

Saber is still hesitant to act rashly...

But Caster's purpose was not to make Saber hesitate.

Rather, it was to admire that saintly, angry face.

then--

Blood splattered, and white brain matter mixed with eyeballs splashed out in a parabolic arc.

This cruel scene was witnessed by Artoria.

Anger instantly filled her body.

This monster is unforgivable, absolutely unforgivable!

Saber witnessed all sorts of horrific deaths, things that were commonplace in war. In such harsh and desperate circumstances, even children could not escape death.

but...

This is absolutely outrageous.

It was a completely malicious act, not for survival, but out of absolute malice.

The smell of blood grew stronger.

Artoria's hands trembled, and her eyes seemed to spit fire.

In the blink of an eye, the ground was covered with corpses...

The other party wanted her to see this scene—

It was precisely to allow her to witness this extreme event, where she arrived here, and have her life slip away before her very eyes.

It's impossible to save any of these lives!

Artoria felt a tightness in her chest and abdomen.

"Well, Joan of Arc..."

Caster wore a smug smile, surrounded by the corpses of children.

"How do you feel about this tragic scene? It's heartbreaking, isn't it? It's incredibly distressing to see, isn't it? The pain and despair experienced by innocent children at the moment of their death—"

"but!"

"This is simply not enough!"

The magician suddenly screamed loudly, his voice even sounding like a sob!

"It's not nearly enough! This level of despair is nothing compared to even one ten-thousandth of what I've lost you! No, one hundred-millionth!"

"Shut up, you bastard—!"

hum!

Artoria never stopped running.

She transformed into a whirlwind, giving Caster no chance to speak.

If she could get close enough, she could send Caster to meet his saintess with a single sword strike; Artoria was confident of that.

but...

"Oh ho ho ho ho ho ho ho! Don't underestimate me, Saintess! To corrupt you, to snatch your soul back from the gods' joke—I, Gilles de Rais—have prepared a grand feast for you!"

Caster laughed wildly in the mist.

His actions were purely intended to annoy the other party; he had no intention of fighting them.

"This guy, he's planning to run away after killing people?!"

Are you kidding me! (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the initial statement.)

Artoria possesses the strongest melee combat ability, but she needs to be able to fight in close combat.