"Heh, I'm getting tired of playing the divine libertine. Since you've brought in the power of the second Beast, allow me to show you what true beastliness looks like."
At Sessyoin's feet, the Chaos Tide parted. Mana surged and formed a black swamp, from which a pair of pale, glowing hands emerged, lifting her into the air.
Though she spoke with indifference, Sessyoin didn't dare underestimate the Chaos Tide that Goddess Tiamat had sent.
Being immersed in it might only burn the flesh momentarily—but to be swallowed completely meant even one's cells would be restructured, transformed into something subservient to another.
Sessyoin wasn't reckless enough to face this many enemies while still standing atop the Chaos Tide.
Her first step was securing a safe foothold. Then, she would annihilate the pests before her.
"Come forth, child of Tiamat. What appears next is a spawn of the Sea of Pleasure—once possessed by Demon Gods, it devoured them instead, becoming a Singularity unto itself, a catastrophe striving to ascend as a Beast. Beast III/Rapture. Let this blissful, unrestrained paradise grant you the ultimate joy."
Shiomi remained unfazed by Sessyoin's provocation. The Chaos Tide beneath his feet bloomed not only with pure white lotus flowers, but also countless trees and vines, sprouting wildly and growing toward Sessyoin, surrounding her.
"Sorry, but you can feed that thing to the dogs."
Shiomi raised his hand and closed it slowly—an order for the newly born life to tighten their encirclement around Sessyoin.
In theory, he could have summoned Laḫmu from the Chaos Tide. After all, Tiamat had lent him her power to support this battle.
But such lifeforms could fall under Sessyoin's sway before developing any consciousness, ending up beneath her heel.
Besides, the birth of these trees served another purpose: they provided footing.
Gawain, Tristan, Suzuka Gozen, and Meltryllis leapt forward, bounding across the tree trunks, launching an assault from all sides.
"Ah… the Heroic Spirits, risking everything to defeat me," Sessyoin murmured with her hands pressed together, letting out a compassionate sigh like a Bodhisattva.
But this was merely a façade.
Sessyoin did see herself as a merciful Bodhisattva, convinced that everything she did was righteous.
Yet in her world, only she was truly human. Everyone else existed to be used, devoured, and erased.
A Demonic Bodhisattva.
Her hands shifted—fingers weaving rapidly into complex mudras.
"Sorrow and joy are the same… both colors of life."
In that instant, all the Servants who had drawn near suddenly froze.
Black cords of Mana snaked out from between the trees and branches, wrapping tightly around their bodies.
"What… is this?!"
Even someone as powerful as Gawain couldn't break free.
"Black Thread of Skhanda," BB's voice echoed. "A technique of Sessyoin. It binds the target by anchoring their desires, turning them into shackles."
The stronger the five desires in the heart, the easier it was to trap the target.
In a way, it was like an alternate version of the Chains of Heaven.
All the Servants present were legendary figures from history. Their desires were greater than those of ordinary people—only tempered and channeled by their reason.
And that made them especially vulnerable to Sessyoin's binding spell.
For Alteregos like Meltryllis, born from a singular, amplified desire, not even fluidizing her body was possible now.
"It'll take too long to analyze this spell. Let's find a way to disrupt the Beast's actions first."
Staying in the rear, Morgan used her Fairy Eyes to examine Sessyoin's spell. It wasn't large, but it was intricately woven.
A different type of spell than conventional Magecraft.
Even at the fastest, it would take a full minute to completely dismantle—far too slow for this battle.
"No need for you to act, Mother. I've already prepared for this."
As BB spoke, the Black Thread of Skhanda vanished in an instant, startling even Sessyoin.
"You even dispelled my Black Thread of Skhanda... Looks like Mooncell had already devised a countermeasure. Still, the Black Thread of Skhanda was only the prelude. The fact that you overcame it proves your skill."
As Suzuka and Gawain's blades drew near, the tentacles of the Demon Pillars suddenly burst through the barricade of branches and trunks, flooding the digital space.
Having let the Servants test the enemy first, Shiomi led Morgan and the others behind the front lines, waiting for the next wave. He glanced around.
An overwhelming number of Demon Gods, and magical energy identical to what he felt in the Temple of Time.
"The Ascension of Human Reason absorbed Lord Zepar, used him as raw material, and is nurturing him within itself," Sessyoin explained thoughtfully. "It's just like... yes, like that Goetia. What we're seeing here is an 'infinite Demon God.' After all... I can't allow myself to be overwhelmed by sheer numbers."
The numerous Demon Pillars tangled with the ever-growing plants, as if vying for territory.
Shiomi finally made his move.
In that moment, the original battle plan was scrapped. He launched an assault on Sessyoin, leaving the Demon Pillars for the others to handle.
Though they were Demon Pillars, their power was on par with the Demon Gods Shiomi knew, and their numbers far exceeded seventy-two. But they had a fatal flaw.
They had no names, no personalities—just clones of the Demon God Zepar, cultivated to wield the same power.
Which meant the current force was enough to handle them.
Boom—!
With a crash powerful enough to split mountains, the descending Gungnir was caught by Sessyoin with both hands, the shockwave radiating outward.
"Your opponent is me!"
"Womb Realm: Bodhyangi Mudrā." Sessyoin wasn't having an easy time either. She formed a spell to block Shiomi's strike. "Don't underestimate me just because I'm a woman. I know a thing or two about martial arts."
"Thunder Reign." Shiomi didn't waste time—he followed up his mighty strike with a Grand Magecraft spell.
"Ahh... So rough~"
Electricity coursed through her body. Sessyoin moaned seductively, her flushed face deepening in color. It was clear the injuries didn't matter.
Pain only brought her pleasure.
"Tch..." Shiomi clicked his tongue. "Seems like becoming a Beast is just too enjoyable for you, Sessyoin."
"Because I was jealous. After reading Lord Zepar's memories, the battle at the Temple of Time felt like a dream to me. That's why I'm doing everything I can to recreate it here."
Sessyoin spoke with raw emotion, uttering words incomprehensible to most.
"I too long to be tormented like that... to be killed again and again by countless Heroic Spirits..."
...
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