Fate: Livestream in Chaldeas

Chapter 31: Is This How the Saintess Fights?

Thump, thump.

A gigantic creature with the head of a lion, a turtle shell covered in sharp spikes, muscular limbs, and a serpent-like tail was slowly advancing toward the fortress ahead.

Each of its steps caused the ground to tremble slightly.

Beside that bizarre and terrifying monster, a long-haired maiden clad in sacred armor, holding a golden cross-shaped holy staff, was also approaching.

"This is the place."

The long-haired girl gazed at the fortress before her.

A dense barrier enveloped the entire area, radiating a powerful holy aura that repelled the surrounding monsters.

Just touching this barrier was enough to make one feel uncomfortable.

The moment the girl stepped into the barrier, the chaotic mana within her body gradually stabilized, and her rationality somewhat recovered.

However, she still couldn't remember who she was. All she knew was that Dragon Witch had ordered her to destroy this fortress.

It was just a human stronghold. With a single command, the monster behind her would crush this place into ashes, leaving nothing behind.

"Intruder ahead, do not proceed any further!"

On the flat ground before the fortress gate, a young maiden dressed in a magnificent bishop's robe stood, blocking the long-haired girl's path.

She, too, held a silver cross-shaped holy staff in her hands, her entire being exuding a pure, sacred light.

"This place has been temporarily designated as part of the Holy Church's sanctuary. You are not permitted to trespass."

"Sanctuary?"

The girl in sacred armor suddenly froze.

A few memories surfaced in her mind.

That's right—she seemed to have been a saint as well.

"If you can step into my barrier, you must also be someone of noble standing. In that case, state your name, won't you?"

Popess Johanna spoke seriously.

"My name… I'm sorry… I don't know…"

The long-haired girl in sacred armor tried to think, but the pain in her head only grew more intense.

"AAAAA... AAAAAA!!!"

Suddenly, a red light flared in her eyes, and she screamed in agony:

"Tarasque!!!"

"ROAAAARRR——————————!!!"

The enormous beast beside her immediately let out a thunderous roar upon hearing its master's summon!

Before Johanna could react, the opponent had already charged forward at an astonishing speed!

"Tarasque... As I thought, this person is Saint Martha!"

Johanna had no time to think further and immediately swung the silver holy staff in her hands.

"Shine!!!"

Around Popess Johanna, multiple silver light circles suddenly appeared.

One, two, three...

These silver light circles locked onto Tarasque, which was charging at breakneck speed, and the instant they made contact—

BOOM!!!

They all erupted in dazzling radiance!!!

"ROAAAARRR——————!!!"

Tarasque roared, lowering its horn in an attempt to pierce the girl before it. However, at some point, its four legs had been tightly bound by silver threads, preventing its massive body from advancing even a single step.

"Tonbi, I'm counting on you."

Popess Johanna raised her silver holy staff toward the sky.

"Chiu chiu————————!!"

The white owl circling in the air suddenly dove at an incredible speed, aiming straight for the four-legged beast's head. (Note: I mistakenly referred to it as an eagle in the previous chapter.)

Sensing the anomaly, Tarasque immediately opened its mouth, attempting to attack the owl, but the bird swiftly evaded its sharp fangs.

Then, the owl swooped right in front of the beast's eyes and—

Suddenly burst into a blinding flash of light!

"ROAAAARRR————————!!"

Tarasque, already tightly bound by the silver threads, was now also blinded by the intense light.

Even though it possessed power comparable to an army of a thousand men, at this moment, Tarasque collapsed to the ground, unable to stand.

Everything was unfolding exactly as Popess Johanna had predicted. Currently, the battlefield was entirely within the range of her magic field.

The enemy could hardly exert their full strength, and furthermore, in this territory, all Servants on her side could utilize mana at maximum capacity.

And yet, the opponent recklessly charged straight into this place—this was truly an incomprehensible action.

Ethan, along with the audience watching the live broadcast, was tensely following the battle.

[This monster looks like a lion, but it has a turtle shell on its back, bear-like legs, and a snake-like tail. What on earth is this thing?]

[No idea. Could it be some kind of mutated Chimera?]

[Possibly. Aside from the turtle shell, it does resemble one quite a bit.]

[Does anyone know? Raise your hand.]

[Wiki-san, where are you when we need you?]

Not long after, Wiki-san was notified and began explaining like an expert.

[This creature is most likely Tarasque, a terrifying legendary beast from southern France, in the Provence region.]

[Tarasque is described as having a lion-like head, a body covered in an armor-like turtle shell, six-foot-long bear-like claws, and a snake-like scaly tail. According to legend, it was ultimately tamed by Saint Martha.]

[Naruhodo ne~.]

[Thank you, Wiki-san, you're always reliable.]

[So if this beast is really Tarasque, then the girl controlling it must be Saint Martha, right?]

[Wait a minute… Is this a battle between a Saintess and a Pope?!]

[This is insane! I want to go to confession too!!!]

[Does anyone know how to join the Church? I'll pay for it myself. Urgent! Online now.]

…

"Even Tarasque has fallen into a disadvantage… No wonder 'Dragon Witch' left in frustration. No, that's not right… But why am I even fighting…?"

The intense headache made the girl in sacred armor unable to suppress the fury welling up inside her.

Suddenly, she sprang up and charged straight toward Popess Johanna at an astonishing speed!

Popess Johanna immediately raised her holy staff.

"Illuminate this path!"

Once again, silver light circles appeared, rushing toward the opponent.

"AAAAAHHH——————!!!"

The girl in sacred armor roared in madness, swinging the golden holy staff in her hands—

Unbelievable! She knocked away all the silver light circles with just her holy staff?!

Popess Johanna's eyes widened, utterly shocked by the sight before her.

These circles, woven from mana, had been struck away just like that—by nothing more than a single holy staff?!

"...Impossible… Saint Martha… could she really be this violent?!"

However, Popess Johanna quickly regained her composure. In her domain, she absolutely could not lose!

"Tonbi."

"Chiu chiu——————!!!"

Once again, Tonbi responded to its master's call, diving down from the sky.

This time, it skillfully evaded the opponent's attacks and spread its wings wide.

"Get out of my way!!!"

Just as it was about to release its dazzling light to disrupt vision—

The radiant golden holy staff suddenly erupted with an intense blinding light as well!

Blinded by the opponent's light, the owl lost its balance, flapping its wings erratically before plummeting downward.

"Tonbi!"

Popess Johanna watched as Saint Martha drew closer and closer. If the opponent got too near, her greatest weakness—her lack of close combat abilities—would be completely exposed.

"Noble Phantasm, unleash… Receive the grace of the Lord—!"

Popess Johanna no longer hesitated, raising her silver holy staff high!