To weaken Tiamat's Saint Graph.
This was absolutely not something that could be accomplished so easily.
Just as Gilgamesh had said, Tiamat's Saint Graph structure was incomparably stable. To weaken such a Saint Graph, and to weaken it to the extent of returning to the scale she had when they first encountered her—that would be no easier than slaughtering ten million gods.
As Chaldea transmitted their intelligence and data on Tiamat, they also displayed the observed values of her Saint Graph.
…
Class: Beast II
True Name: Tiamat
Attribute: Chaotic・Evil
———Parameters———
Strength: A+
Endurance: EX
Agility: C
Mana: A++
Luck: EX
Noble Phantasm: —
———Class Skills———
Authority of the Beast: A
Also called an "Anti-Humanity" skill, it grants special effectiveness against Heroic Spirits, gods, and all things born from the "mother's womb."
Its effect is not limited to Beast II herself—every magical beast she gives birth to is likewise granted this ability.
Independent Manifestation: B
A skill that allows manifestation into the world as a singular individual.
Once manifested, within seven days she could completely cover the Indian Ocean, and thereafter spawn magical beasts without end to consume all humanity.
However, since Beast II's true body is the sea itself, she cannot set foot on land, leaving the eradication of humanity to her offspring—the magical beasts. Yet when the "Sea of Life" spreads over the land, she may act upon the surface.
This skill displays the mode of existence of "already present in all space-time." Thus, paradoxical attacks such as time travel are all nullified, and any instant-death effects are likewise negated.
Self-Modification: EX
By using the "Sea of Life" to transform her Saint Graph, she may evolve from her normal state into a draconic form over 60 meters long.
As a dragon, any attack of A++ rank or lower is completely nullified.
———Personal Skills———
Sea of Life: EX
Beast II is the ocean that birthed life. To circulate True Ether for Earth's Genesis, an infinite supply of mana wells up from this black mud-sea.
Those seized by the mud and drowned within the sea are granted random skills such as Environmental Modification, Environmental Fusion, and Unit Mitosis. When such transformed beings leave the sea and walk the land, they are bound by a cellular-level contract with Beast II, becoming humanity's enemies automatically.
Nega Genesis: A
A conceptual bounded field that overwrites both present evolutionary theory and predictions of Earth's creation.
With this property, Beast II gains immense resistance to the Noble Phantasms of all Servants born of proper human history—no living being may approach her.
Monstrous Strength: A++
The inherent ability of a monster to augment its own Strength. Its efficacy is near the highest level. Manifesting a draconic body forged of black mud, Tiamat's power is already no different from a Giant's.
…
This was Tiamat's ability parameters.
Look—how utterly despair-inducing they were.
First, her Endurance was already at a transcendent level. In terms of defense and durability, she likely surpassed even Mash as she was now.
Next, temporal attacks and instant-death attacks were ineffective, nullifying nearly every indirect means of dealing damage.
Furthermore, the Noble Phantasms of Servants born from proper human history could scarcely harm her, for she possessed powerful resistance—no living being could approach.
And in addition to that immense Saint Graph, the threat of the black mud, her Anti-Humanity skill, and her ability to nullify all attacks of A++ rank or lower—how could anyone hope to injure Tiamat, much less reduce her Saint Graph to the scale she possessed at the beginning?
It was simply impossible!
Even for Rozen, attempting such a feat likely had less than a one-in-ten chance of success.
There was no helping it. Tiamat's abilities were simply too unfair—otherwise, how could she be called a catastrophe capable of threatening all of humanity?
Such was the so-called "Evils of Humanity"—to drive people to despair.
Rozen had no answer to this either.
There was only one word left—attrition.
Rozen refused to believe that, with his mana and his techniques, unleashing a relentless barrage against Tiamat would fail to weaken her Saint Graph.
Thus, Rozen's expression hardened. Just as he was about to speak, however, someone cut him off.
In that moment, Rozen perhaps had forgotten.
He still had a trump card in hand.
"In that case, leave the task of weakening Tiamat to me."
With that quiet voice, a figure emerged from the mist, appearing at Rozen's side.
"Miss Altera!"
Mash stiffened.
And not only Mash—everyone present was slightly startled, raising their heads.
"Altera, you…"
Rozen looked at the suddenly appearing Altera, first stunned, then quickly realizing.
How could he have forgotten her?
If it were her, she should be able to ignore all of the above conditions, and truly damage Tiamat.
"I possess traits opposed to the world and to the gods. Even if the opponent is a Beast of Original Sin, an Evil of Humanity—since she is a creator goddess, she cannot avoid being opposed by my power."
Altera's gaze swept across everyone present, before finally fixing on Rozen.
"Let me be the one to face Tiamat."
That was the best choice.
With Altera's destructive power, even Tiamat should not be able to escape harm.
No—rather, it was precisely because she was Tiamat that she would be threatened by Altera's strength.
She created the world—Altera could destroy it.
She was a god—Altera could slay gods.
Therefore, if anyone now could truly threaten Tiamat, it was Altera alone.
Moreover…
"My power does not belong to this planet. For Tiamat, who seeks to nurture life and create an ecology upon this world, I am her natural enemy."
Altera spoke with cold detachment.
"The civilization of planets she creates—I shall destroy."
At her words, the entire throne room fell silent again.
No one spoke further.
Rozen included.
Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes at Altera, then after a moment turned back toward Rozen.
"How long will it take to repair the Rope of Shackles?"
Gilgamesh shifted the topic.
"Not long," Rozen replied. "At most, no more than an hour."
If it were a matter of creating one anew, that would not be so simple.
But if it was only a repair, Rozen could directly unleash High-Grade Mana, using the power of Cleansing. One hour was more than enough.
"Good!"
Gilgamesh immediately made his decision.
"There are still two days before Tiamat reaches Uruk. There is no need for us to hurry."
"You are all exhausted—go and rest for now."
"Do not think you can go without. Once the battle begins, you will never again have the chance to rest."
"The Master will remain here. I have matters yet to discuss with him. The rest of you, withdraw and restore yourselves."
So Gilgamesh ordered.
Everyone glanced at one another, then all nodded in agreement.