At the Imperial Mage Academy, the magicians were currently abuzz with discussion about the massive sea demon summoned by Caster. No one expected such a realistic and terrifying creature to appear in the movie, and everyone felt an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"What kind of monster is that exactly?"
"I feel extremely uneasy."
"Could a creature of that level be summoned using summoning magic?"
"Impossible! Just maintaining its presence would drain any magician of their mana completely!"
"Then how is Caster maintaining its existence? That monster is enormous—surely it's beyond high-tier!"
"Remember how Caster was abducting children before? Maybe the mana extracted from human souls is what sustains the monster's existence!"
"No way. Even if you extracted a massive amount of mana from human souls, it couldn't possibly maintain such a creature for this long. Caster must be using some other method to supply mana!"
The voices of the magicians rose one after another, all fixated on the gigantic sea demon on screen.
Of course, no matter how shocked the ordinary students were by the visuals, none of them connected the sea demon with any real existing creature. At most, they assumed it was just special effects—an illusion created by some kind of projection magic.
Only the Arch Mages, who had once again gathered at the top of the Mage's Tower, saw through the reality of the creature.
"I honestly don't even know how to describe how I'm feeling right now."
While maintaining his Eagle Eye spell, Hohenheim spoke with deeply mixed emotions.
On the other side, the rest of the Arch Mages were equally stunned, staring wide-eyed at the terrifying monster on the movie screen.
The Fire Elemental Arch Mage, Warton, couldn't suppress himself and shouted:
"What the hell is that thing? A transcendent magical beast? A chaos demon god? Even though we're just seeing it through the movie screen, it damn well looks real!"
In response, Arch Mage Rosa took a deep breath and said:
"This is my second time seeing it, but it's still hard to believe. That brat Edward actually managed to summon something that's practically at demon god level just to shoot a movie."
"So it was Edward who summoned it?"
Under the gaze of several Arch Mages nearby, Arch Mage Rosa shook her head and replied:
"I don't know. Edward didn't tell me. But I don't think so. After all, a demon god-level entity like that would typically only appear in the realm of chaos. There's no way a Grand Mage like Edward could summon it. Arch Mage Brady, you're the expert in summoning—what's your take?"
In response to Rosa's words, Brady, the Arch Mage of Summoning at the Mage's Tower, nodded and said:
"Impossible. Neither the summoning circle of that tier nor the immense mana required to support its existence is something a Grand Mage could manage. Even I wouldn't be able to do it. It looks like that kid Edward has a lot of secrets we don't know about."
Hearing this from the top summoning expert, the other Arch Mages were also overwhelmed with shock.
Even though they didn't specialize in summoning, they still understood how insanely powerful one would have to be to summon a monster of that magnitude.
Edward likely has someone behind him—an existence even greater than the Arch Mage's themselves.
"It seems there are still many secrets in this world that even we cannot begin to understand."
Hohenheim sighed and continued:
"There are some things it's best we pretend not to know. Since the being behind Edward is unwilling to reveal themselves, it's better for us to play along and not expose them. Otherwise, it won't end well for either of us."
"But… are we really just going to do nothing? To summon such a transcendent creature, the summoner is definitely not someone from the world of the living," one Arch Mage remarked.
Hohenheim smiled and responded:
"And so what if they're not? The fact that this entity is helping Edward make movies shows they have no hostility toward us. As long as they aren't like the former headmaster—a threat to the world—it's better for us magicians not to get involved unnecessarily. After all, we are seekers of truth, not zealots like those fanatics from the Church."
"…"
Hearing Hohenheim's words, the other Arch Mages eventually nodded in agreement.
As the peak of human magical power, they were well aware of the many entities in this world that humanity could never hope to contend with. More often than not, pretending not to see was the wisest course of action. Otherwise, unnecessary destruction would only follow.
And so, the Arch Mages chose to willfully forget everything they had seen and suspected about the being behind the summoning of the lesser demon god. Instead, they turned their attention back to the movie.
. . . . . .
In the movie, the massive sea demon summoned by Caster had fully emerged.
Fortunately, due to the thick fog obscuring visibility, only a few places had a clear view of the creature. Most of the city's residents hadn't noticed the terrifying monster.
However, as time passed, the sea demon would inevitably invade the surface.
When that happened, the entire city would be destroyed.
The unspoken rule that the Holy Grail War must be conducted in secret was now completely broken.
"I underestimated him. I didn't think he would summon so many demonic beasts."
"No, no matter how powerful a Servant is, there's a limit to the rank of familiars they can control. But if you're not planning to control the creature—just summon it—then theoretically, anything can be summoned, no matter how powerful. All it takes is a powerful enough magical gate and the right ritual."
"So you're saying that monster is not under Caster's control?"
"That's probably correct."
This exchange between Irisviel and Artoria revealed the likely reason Caster was able to summon such a colossal sea demon.
In response, Artoria clenched her fists in anger. Her knightly honor could not accept the fact that such a mindless beast was about to rampage through the city.
Meanwhile, Rider, Iskandar, casually approached.
"Hey, King of Knights, it's a nice evening, isn't it? Though… I guess now's not the time for small talk."
"Rider, are you seriously just here to joke around?" Artoria snapped.
"Come on, let's have a temporary truce tonight. I can't enjoy fighting you with that big guy still out there."
"Just you and me?"
"I already called out earlier—Lancer has responded and should be arriving shortly."
"Understood."
Artoria nodded, then solemnly placed her hand over her chestplate and declared loudly:
"I have no objections to fighting alongside you, King of Conquerors. Though it is a temporary alliance, let us make an oath together."
"Heh, still clear-headed in the midst of battle, are we? What's wrong—does your Master have any objections?"
Seeing Iskandar's expression, his Master, Waver, immediately shook his head.
Irisviel also spoke up:
"I don't mind. The Einzbern family agrees to the ceasefire."
Soon, Lancer Diarmuid and his Master also arrived.
With all parties gathered, they began to strategize.
"That spellbook of his—it's an autonomous summoning mana core. Prelati's Spellbook, a Noble Phantasm that surpasses all conventional standards, has now fused with Caster and become the sea demon's heart."
"But Caster is at the center of all that flesh—what do we do?"
"If we can separate his Noble Phantasm, I can destroy the ritual with my anti-magic spear, Crimson Rose of Exorcism."
"Lancer, can you aim for Caster's Noble Phantasm and throw your spear from the riverbank?"
"That's a piece of cake."
"Alright then. Rider and I will lead the charge. Sounds good, King of Conquerors?"
"No problem. My chariot doesn't need roads. Saber, how will you handle the enemy in the river?"
"I'm blessed by the Lady of the Lake. No water can stop my advance."
"Oh ho, now that's a rare one."
Rider laughed heartily, cracked his whip, and spurred the bulls pulling his chariot forward—dragging a very unprepared, screaming Waver into battle.
On the other side, Artoria leapt from the riverbank directly into the water.
To everyone's shock, she began to walk across the surface—charging straight into the center of the battlefield.
. . . . . . .
The visuals on screen immediately sparked heated discussion, especially among the magicians at the Imperial Mage Academy, who were now frantically analyzing the content.
"So that's how it is. No wonder Caster could summon such a massive sea demon—it's almost beyond comprehension!"
"If control isn't needed, then mana isn't required. Damn, that actually makes sense."
"So… does that mean we could summon a creature like that too?"
"The Mage's Tower has explicitly banned the use of untested summoning circles. If you want to be hunted by every mage alive, go ahead and try."
"…"
"By the way, Saber's abilities are amazing—she can walk on water? Regular magic doesn't seem capable of that."
"She said she's blessed by the Lady of the Lake. Who exactly is the Lady of the Lake?"
"I think if wind-element magic is pushed to the extreme, it could probably achieve a similar effect."
The magicians were in a frenzy of discussion—most of them excited for the epic battle about to unfold on screen.
But what truly stunned them came next: the movie cut to a new scene, revealing two jet-black flying constructs, etched with strange magical alchemy arrays, soaring through the air like birds.
"My god, what are those?!"
"They're flying?!"
Faced with these clearly Magitech Alchemy flying devices, all of the viewers—especially the mages—instantly erupted with excitement.
<+>
If you want to see more chapter of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month to read till the latest chapter, please go to my Patreon[1].
Latest Post In Patreon: Chapter 193: Steins;Gate Has Finished Screening! (Part 1)[2]
Link to the chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131161767?collection=162522[3]
https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/131161767?collection=162522
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/131161767?collection=162522
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed