Jiang You had deployed a large number of M240 machine guns along the walls of Camelot (Ur). Hundred Faces had scavenged these from the US military base in Japan. In addition to these modern weapons, there were also some vintage Type 92 heavy machine guns. As long as ammunition remained plentiful, the ordinary Lahmu would fall like wheat before this modernized hail of fire.
Jiang You had even considered acquiring some close-in weapon systems (CIWS), those things packed a serious punch. However, obtaining them through legitimate channels proved impossible, and he couldn't simply seize them under the noses of others. In the end, he had to abandon the idea.
"The Spirit Origin reaction is intensifying. If we don't move out soon, those children will be under immense pressure."
Riding her Phantasmal Beast Wind God Pterosaur, Quetzalcoatl swept past Jiang You. Their original plan called for her to use her Noble Phantasm to vaporize the Primordial Sea. Now, fueled by the magical power of the Soul Crystal, she no longer needed Gudako's Command Spells for support as in the original timeline. She could unleash her full magical power without restraint.
"Big Sister, I'm going in! Hurry up and follow!"
Urged on by Quetzalcoatl, Jiang You had no choice but to keep up. The Lahmu were pouring out like radishes forced to mature with bone meal, a dense, teeming mass stretching as far as the eye could see. If they weren't dealt with soon, Ur would suffer the same fate as Uruk—total annihilation.
"Is she really this massive?"
Without seeing it firsthand, Jiang You couldn't have imagined such a colossal creature. The oppressive aura of Gorgon's immense size had already been terrifying enough, but Tiamat dwarfed her completely. Even from thousands of meters away, every detail of her form remained clearly visible. Jiang You estimated that Gorgon's size was only about a quarter of Tiamat's.
"At this size, even I'm getting excited!"
Quetzalcoatl's eyes gleamed. In her full-power form, she stood a decent chance against the nearly mindless Tiamat. "Think I could try tossing her with a wrestling move later? An opponent this formidable—just the thought of it makes me want to burn with excitement!"
"Just leave this land alone. Without the Primordial Sea and her twin-horned magical power to support her, the ground wouldn't even be able to bear her weight. If you can't lift her, fine. But if you actually manage to throw her..."
Jiang You imagined the scene. It would likely be no less devastating than a meteor strike of comparable force. "We can kiss the Human Order goodbye."
"Don't exaggerate..."
Still, Quetzalcoatl reluctantly abandoned her tempting idea. "Anyway, let's deal with this annoying Black Mud first! I don't want the new era's humans turning into those things. I don't need to worry about magical power consumption now, so I can finish this in seconds!"
"I doubt it'll be that simple."
Jiang You had already spotted the special winged Lahmu circling Tiamat—Lahmu bearing the "Bahl" prefix. These guardian creatures had detected Jiang You and Quetzalcoatl's approach and were now charging toward them, emitting eerie howls.
"Just some Lahmu! As a Rider, Sister knows a thing or two about aerial combat! Watch me smash them into the sea!"
As a former Sun God, Quetzalcoatl's aerial combat prowess was beyond question. However, these Bahl Lahmu, modeled after the Eleven Beasts, were far from easy to deal with.
Though King Hassan had wiped them out in one fell swoop, their strength was not to be underestimated. They even contributed the iconic "clinging relentlessly" scene. One could only assume the editor had misinterpreted the text. Jiang You had no idea which Worldline this was, but at least King Hassan's prestige remained intact. A cause for celebration, indeed!
Quetzalcoatl spurred her Wind God Pterosaur forward, intending to leap onto the Lahmu and hurl them back into the sea with her immense strength.
But as she closed in, she realized she had underestimated these creatures. Their power, speed, and physical resilience far surpassed those of ordinary servants.
After a quick assessment, Quetzalcoatl concluded she could hold her own against two at her current Spirit Origin level. Three would be a struggle, and any more might cost her life. Yet now, not counting Tiamat, there were eleven!
Quetzalcoatl swiftly kicked away the Lahmu grappling with her. If they were surrounded, Jiang You's combat skills wouldn't be enough to help her; she'd have to protect him instead. She knew his Noble Phantasm could handle these creatures, but if they tried to defeat them through a Duel, they'd be dead before the Duel Space even formed.
"Now this is trouble. With these things around, I can't unleash my Noble Phantasm."
"Don't worry, I've already called for backup. Servants capable of aerial combat."
Before Jiang You could finish speaking, an arrow whizzed past his side and struck a Special Lahmu attempting a sneak attack. The creature recoiled in pain, thwarting the ambush.
"If you can't fight properly, don't come here and cause trouble for us!"
Ishtar burst onto the battlefield aboard her bow-shaped Heavenly Boat. "And even with that busty blonde Servant, there are only three of us who can fight in the air! This workload is insane! I'm demanding a raise!"
"Treasures are limitless."
If they ran out, they'd just plunder the Gate of Babylon. After all, in theory, everything Gilgamesh owned after his defeat belonged to them.
"Don't forget Gorgon and Medusa (Middle) haven't even made their appearance yet. But handling these 'Eleven Beasts' doesn't necessarily require servants who can fly. Look, extra reinforcements have arrived."
Medusa rode her child, bringing Mash and Gudako with her. Mash focused entirely on defense, while Gudako's Attack Power was practically zero, far from her future potential to crush everything with her Spirit Origin Shadow. Lacking both large-scale destructive power and efficient killing capabilities, Jiang You had asked Medusa to bring them along.
"These two children?" Quetzalcoatl couldn't understand why Jiang You had chosen them. "They don't even have aerial combat abilities, do they?"
"That's precisely why we don't necessarily need to fight in the air," Jiang You replied.
Jiang You patted his Wind God Pterosaur's neck, signaling it to approach Medusa. Then, in one swift motion, Jiang You grabbed Gudako, hoisted her into the air, and, ignoring her startled shriek, hurled her toward the nearest Bahl Lahmu.
"Senpai!!!" Mash struggled to break free from Medusa's grip to rescue her Master.
"Don't panic," Jiang You reassured her.
Jiang You waved his hand, already encompassing Gudako and the Lahmu within the range of his Noble Phantasm.
The Lahmu couldn't possibly allow Gudako to be hurled at it and immediately launched its own attack.
Thus, the Duel Space unfolded in mid-air.