Fate: Livestream in Chaldeas

Chapter 32: Where's Young Master? Where's Bruce-kun? SAVEEE THEEEE MARTHAAAA!!!

Under the reverent gaze of the soldiers within the fortress, and the tens of thousands of spectators watching the live broadcast—

The young girl in her magnificent papal robes seemed to have transformed into a different person. Her body slowly ascended into the air, and behind her, a faint halo radiated boundless divine light!

A tremendous amount of mana swirled around her, causing distortions that affected the very laws of physics in the surroundings.

"As long as I sit on this throne, my word is absolute. I'm Pope Johanna."

"By my oaths, I shall prove it——

Pray to the Radiant, Glorious Throne! Legendum Pāpa Thronus!!!"

Popess Johanna seated herself upon the throne—the symbol of papal authority. Her benevolence and majesty filled the space around her, as if delivering judgment from the heavens.

[Is this the daily favorite show of medieval believers? I'm starting to understand why they were so fanatical!]

[No wonder they refused to acknowledge Popess Johanna! Who would still want to follow those old popes after seeing this?]

[I have to say, watching the host's livestream is still the best! Beautiful girls, stunning effects, and even a history lesson!]

[To the person above, I advise you to stop... Type-Moon history is NOT for studying...]

...

[System]: "Can I become the throne she's sitting on?" just sent 10 Saint Quartz!

[Comment]: "SIT ON MY FACE!!!!!!!"

[System]: "French Bread" just sent 99 Saint Quartz!

[Comment]: "A Saintess in battle… Absolute Cinema."

[System]: "Darkness-kun" just sent 10 Saint Quartz!

[Comment]: "Awawa, I feel like my masochism is being purified… I have attained enlightenment!"

.....

[Congratulations, Darkness-kun, live happily as a normal person!]

[Darkness-kun, don't listen to Yasashi-kun! Masochism is your true nature, don't lose it! Gambatte!]

[That's right, that's right, Darkness-kun! What's so good about living like a normal person? Stay true to yourself, that's the only way you'll find happiness!]

[...]

....

Bathed in that brilliant light, Saint Martha's entire body felt as though it was bound by invisible chains.

Her limbs grew heavy as lead. It took all her strength just to support herself with the holy staff in her hands, kneeling on one knee.

"ROARR... ROARRRRR...!!!"

Tarasque struggled to stand, but each time it moved, an immense force slammed it back down, pressing it so hard that it carved a massive crater into the ground.

"UGHHHAAA——————!!!"

Her eyes shone with a blazing red light, her entire body trembling uncontrollably—

Yet, she still gritted her teeth, resisting that overwhelming pressure, forcing herself to rise!

The last remnants of mana gathered around Saint Martha's body.

She struggled to lift her brilliant golden staff.

'Was she planning to forcefully activate her Noble Phantasm?!'

Ethan furrowed his brows.

In this state, if she attempted to use her Noble Phantasm, she would deplete all her mana, potentially losing even the ability to maintain her presence.

Regardless of who won or lost, her fate was already sealed.

But even so, Saint Martha did not hesitate as she began her incantation.

"Child of Leviathan, now a guardian of the people.Become a meteor!

O' Tragic Drake Who Knew Naught of Love, Tarasque!!!"

At her proclamation—

The dragon-beast Tarasque, which had been pinned to the ground, let out a resounding roar.

With all its remaining strength, it inhaled deeply—

Then unleashed a jet of pitch-black flames, formed from malevolent mana, aimed straight at the throne in the sky!

The flames surged as if intent on incinerating everything.

But—

Seated upon her throne, Popess Johanna merely shook her head.

Behind her, the divine light flared brighter than ever!!!

Under the radiant glow of the holy light, the flames gradually faded.

In the end, Tarasque could resist no longer and collapsed to the ground, completely motionless.

At this moment, Saint Martha had also exhausted all her mana.

"Oh Lord, if this is the trial You have set for me… then perhaps my fate ends here..."

Step by step, she trudged forward toward Popess Johanna.

Though wounds marred her body, though her armor was in tatters, though pain wracked every inch of her flesh—

She remained steadfast, walking toward the light before her.

Yet, before long, her body could endure no more, and she collapsed to the ground.

Her golden holy staff rolled across the cold earth.

Her Saint Graph had been damaged.

Berserk State was dispelled.

And finally—

Saint Martha remembered her own name.

"Ah… I remember now… My name is Martha, a Saint…"

"Saint Martha!"

Realizing that her Berserk state had vanished, Popess Johanna descended to the ground and hurriedly rushed to support her.

"I'm sorry… I am a follower of God, and yet I allowed myself to be manipulated by such a witch… It seems I am still too inexperienced…"

Saint Martha showed an apologetic expression.

"No, for someone fictional like me to be able to meet such a pure believer like you, it is truly my honor."

Johanna held absolute respect for the Saint before her.

"…Are you opposing the Dragon Witch?"

Saint Martha's voice grew slightly solemn.

"Yes, I was summoned precisely because my Master wishes to defeat the Dragon Witch."

"If that is the case, then standing before you is the pinnacle of dragons, the crystallization of calamity—Fafnir."

"Fafnir?!"

Johanna was stunned.

She had already known that the Evil Dragon was no ordinary dragon. But she never expected it to be Fafnir—the legendary dragon of unparalleled fame.

"The Dragon Witch has summoned that Evil Dragon. And its counterbalance—the only natural enemy capable of opposing it—has also been summoned. But it was all too late…"

Saint Martha weakly shook her head, still leaning against Johanna's arm.

"That Dragonslayer was found and eliminated by the Dragon Witch beforehand. The only true threat that could have destroyed the Evil Dragon has already been removed. That is why she is now free to ravage this kingdom as she pleases."

What?! Siegfried is no more?!

Ethan was dumbfounded as he read Martha's words on the screen.

He still remembered that he was supposed to head to Lyon to find the lost Siegfried, then take down Fafnir before challenging Jeanne Alter!

The good news was that Siegfried had indeed been summoned by the Counter Force.

The bad news was that he had already returned to the Throne of Heroes.

It seemed that the Counter Force was indeed trying to save human civilization—just not putting in too much effort…

Saint Martha's body began to turn translucent, gradually dissolving into fragments of light.

Mana depletion—it was only a matter of time.

"It seems my time has come… Carry my will with you, and fight under the light of God… the one and only Popess."

"Saint Martha!"

Johanna's eyes were filled with sorrow.

[Aaa, I still can't get used to this sight.]

[Even though I know they're just Servants, it still hurts every time one disappears.]

[The actress playing Saint Martha was amazing! Why did she have to die so soon?! Host, think of something already!]

[Host! Host, say something!!!]

[Host, I have a question! Can we fundraise to vote for a character revival? Is there some kind of resurrection mechanic?!]

[Where's Young Master? Where's Bruce-kun? SAVEEE THEEEE MARTHAAAA!!!]

[Bruce-kun: -_- ]

[Excuse me, esteemed guests. I am Sebastian, the butler of Young Master Lin. At present, my Young Master has had his bank card frozen by Old Master due to excessive spending on Jade Beauty. He is unable to assist you in this matter. I sincerely apologize.]

[Young Master: -_- ]

.....

Ethan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Did they really think this was some kind of variety show? Now they were demanding a resurrection?

Should he just set up a side poll in the livestream?

Come on, everyone, get serious! I'm trying to save human civilization here!!!

Servants couldn't just return the moment they disappeared.

[Beep beep——Detected a Servant eligible for contract formation near Host——Saint Martha.]

[Host may consume 10,000 livestream points to perform a special summoning within 10 minutes of her disappearance.]

[After a special summoning, the Servant will manifest in the Class best suited to the current conditions.]

[Would you like to consume points to perform a special summoning?]

Ethan was stunned.

What?! She can still come back?!