The Mother of Demonic Beasts

...It's time. The sun has reached its appointed position.

At this time, the majority of Demonic Beasts will be hungry. They'll attack any prey that comes within their line of sight.

The raiding party led by Benkei and myself will be an easy target for them.

Of course, we don't intend to be their food. Let's show them how the prey becomes the predator.

I'm counting on you. If even one of them realizes the vanguard is a diversion, we won't be able to stop the pack's collective will.

We estimate there are more than two hundred of them on the outskirts of Nippur. Hopefully Lord Ushiwakamaru's force will be enough for the diversion.

...I would have liked one hundred more of you to fight in the plains, but I can't take away any more soldiers from the Northern Wall's defense.

Until the citizens of Nippur reach the Northern Wall

Or rather, until they are far enough away from Nippur, please continue to distract the Demonic Beasts.

Put your faith in us. I'd like to promise you that we can dispose of that many in short order...

But, unlike humans, Demonic Beasts do not care about wounds or losses. If they do not retreat even when their pack is reduced by half,

I'm sure it will turn into a long battle. One that won't end until we kill the last one of them. And then there's my promise to King Gilgamesh.

No matter what happens in Nippur, we cannot come to Lord Fujimaru's aid.

So, please be careful.

Mm? Ushiwakamaru, what's your promise to the king?

It's private. Believe me, it has nothing to do with anyone else, so please forget I said anything.

...

Then let's be off. I'm sure the mission will be over by the time the sun reaches its peak.

Let's all have lunch together. Come, Benkei!

Right!

Master, we should be on the move, too. Our guide is waiting for us below.

Now then, allow me to go over the mission we outlined during last night's meeting.

There are over two hundred citizens left in Nippur.

The majority of them are those who could not be evacuated: the women, the elderly, and the wounded.

I'm sure they're afraid and won't try to leave Nippur unless their safety is guaranteed.

First, we will protect and escort the guide, a former citizen of Nippur, to the west gate and persuade the guards to open it.

Then, our soldiers will show the citizens the escape route and lead them on a westward course to the Northern Wall.

No matter how many of the Demonic Beasts that Ushiwakamaru and the others lure away, a handful of them will catch the citizens' scent.

Your job is to eliminate those Demonic Beasts. Are you with me so far?

？！

...Sorry, one moment. Hrrrm. Ah, there we are.

Heroic Spirit or not, hesitating before the Demonic Front is a valid response, Fujimaru.

However, take three deep breaths. You'll still be afraid, but your muscles will loosen up.

Now listen. Our messengers in Nippur were helping us maintain contact with the city, but we haven't heard from them in the past few days.

If you sense danger... No, let me rephrase. If you determine that it's too late, withdraw immediately.

I have a feeling you will be tasked with an even bigger mission after this.

Therefore, prioritize your own lives. That's all I have to say.

What's this? If their lives are so precious, then perhaps they shouldn't take part in this mission at all.

That's not what this is about. There is no growth without experience. Proper recovery leads to more muscle!

One should always strive to face danger. I beg your pardon, but that is the destiny of those who have survived up till now.

Am I wrong, Romani of Chaldea?

Even if one was incompetent in the beginning, a talent for magecraft isn't that important for traveling through the ages as a Master.

Because no matter how much of a genius one is, they are utterly powerless in the face of this cataclysm.

And so, what's most important in saving humanity is to not avert one's eyes from hardship. That's what I think.

...Yes, I agree, King Leonidas.

I'm glad you have come to this age as its greatest defender.

Hahaha. "Greatest"... You flatter me. Of course, I will not contradict you!

Now then, Lord Fujimaru, you must hurry. You too, Lady Mash. Do not let your guard down. Not until the very end.

You've been taught the basics of being a shield. The rest depends on your determination.

Yes! Thank you, Leonidas!

？！

So it seems! But what has begun can't be stopped!

Let's go with all speed too! Soldiers, guide us!

Yes, sir! There are enough of us to escort the citizens, but the Demonic Beasts are too much for us!

We'll depend on you, King Gilgamesh's own elite troopsthe foreign warriorsto handle them!

Lord Ushiwaka! The Demonic Beasts are increasing in number! They must've hidden behind the castle wallsArrrgghh!

So it appears. Don't fight individually! Close formation and tighten your defenses!

Only the Ugallu are attacking. I know they're more than you can handle, but you will NOT retreat!

Survive, even if only for a minute, and be my shield!

In exchange for your lives, I will have their heads! Every single last one of them!

Lord Ushiwakamaru, I believe that is unreasonable! Should we not retreat for now and rally again!?

Nonsense! Look at the Cedar Forest! A second wave is coming!

The soldiers would never be able to make it back to the wall! They wouldn't have a chance to fight; they'd only get eaten or carried off!

If that's the case, I shall give them the dignity of an honorable death right here! If one hundred men are killed, we will slay two hundred beasts!

Is that not the way we do battle!? Have you become a coward, Musashibou!? How could you call yourself my Ben

...Lord Ushiwakamaru, I...

I take it back. I misspoke. But apologies later. For now, get moving!

We are completely surrounded! With this many of them, Nippur must be empty!

We must slaughter these beasts and hasten to Fujimaru's side!

(Hasten to Nippur, you say...!? That's just... What am I supposed to do...!?)

...Welcome to Nippur. I've been waiting for you, pathetic soldiers of the Demonic Front.

Oh. It's the same as the ruins of Babylon. Putting the old humanity aside, the city itself is innocent.

I want to leave this town as intact as possible. That's about as much sympathy as I have.

...Sheesh. You're so slow-witted. Maybe it's about time for me to reveal my True Name.

？！

...What are you talking about, impostor? There should be as many as two hundred citizens here.

There are traces of blood, but no bodies. I doubt you murdered them with your rain of spears...

I disposed of them last night, of course, but what of it? As you people said, Demonic Beasts are living beings, too.

Humans are an invaluable source of nourishment. The beasts take them back to their lairs and feed them to their young.

...! You're saying they were taken back... alive!?

Plus, Enkidu heard us talking!? How sharp are those ears!?

Why are you still surprised? Oh, I guess Leonidas didn't explain the whole story to you.

The greatest cause of loss at the Demonic Front is soldiers simply never returning.

Thus far, the Demonic Beasts have been holding back, trying to avoid killing humans where they could.

Breaking limbs, seizing them by the neck, dragging them into the forest... I don't have to tell you what happens next, do I?

...Th-then...it's true... We thought it didn't make sense either...

The Demonic Beasts would cross over the Northern Wall, but they never tried to destroy it. That was just...because...

That's right. To them, the Northern Wall was no more than a place where resourcesthat is, humanswere gathered.

This was never an invasion.

That plan was going to be executed after the second generation of Demonic Beasts was born.

You people are no more than raw materials used to create them. Really, you should be honored.

You are nothing more than the food that helps them grow strong. What better end could you obsolete humans ask for, hm?

...! Cut the crap, you bastard! You're nothing more than a cheap, bitter doll!

Gah...!

I knew that from the beginning. I knew that's how you humans saw me.

...Well then. Now I just have to deal with Chaldea's Master, my unexpected prey...

...Tell me, where's Gilgamesh? Did he send you out alone?

？！

I don't know what you're talking about. All I did was analyze the enemy's fighting strength.

But that's fine. There's still time before Mother awakens. Shall I entertain you awhile, Fujimaru?

You came all this way to the Demonic Front. How long can you hold out against this one? Let's see!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

An Ugallu! They are among the strongest of Tiamat's offspring!

They're different than the ones you've faced before. Give it everything you've got, Fujimaru!

Sorry, but you're my main target.

I had my suspicions the last time we fought. But I didn't think they would have someone like you hidden up their sleeves.

You're much scarier than the Master from Chaldea.

...That's why... I have to get rid of you right here and now.

Ahh...!

？！

Ana...!

This is bad! That wound could be fatal! Dammit, Cath Palug, do something!

I know you have magical energy stored up! Use it! NOW! I won't get mad!

Fou, fooou!

...? Fou, are you

Fou, fuuu!

They're gone... They didn't get eliminated so... they teleported!? What is that animal...?

Master, it's an earthquake! Wait, no, this is

Wh-what was that just now!? Did the earth shake?! Did Mt. Ebih erupt!?

No, that's not it! This is...!

No... She came straight here!? This wasn't the plan. Has she no restraint...!?

？！

Lord Ushiwakamaru, this is our chance! The earthquake must have set the Demonic Beasts to fleeing!

We can take the soldiers and retreat to the Northern Wall! Give me the order!

...No, that's no earthquake. That's the sound of something monstrous digging its way through the earth.

Monstrous... Wh-what!? What is... What is it!?

A new type of Demonic Beast in Nippur? But I've never heard of a Demonic Beast that big!

That's gotta be a Divine Beast! It's bigger than Humbaba in the Cedar Forest!

...No. That's... That's...

That's Tiamat! Heavens help us... The goddess of the north really was Tiamat after all!

Run! Everyone run! You're going to get killed! We're all going to die!

Run! Run away! Run away! Run away! Everyone retreat! We can't beat that monster!

Everyone, please calm down!

The monster's tail is over there...!

One swish of that tail wiped everyone out! And it's blocking the gate!

Archaman, hurry with the analysis of that thing! It may be hard to believe, but that's a Servant!

Surely you can at least tell its Spirit Origin, size, and class!?

I'm on it!

Its Spirit Origin is a Divine Spirit-class, its upper body is 10 meters... and its total lengthincluding the tailis over 100 meters!

Its classification is Extra Class! An Avenger!

...You're quite loud, humans.

Mankind's sworn enemy, head of the Three Goddess Alliance, the monster feared as the Goddess of Demonic Beasts...

Prostrate yourselves, pray, and beg. Tiamat, the Mother of All Beasts, stands before you now.

...

？！

I trust you are well, Mother. It's so nice to finally see you awake.

...But this wasn't exactly the plan. You were to rest until the Day of Rebirth.

There was supposed to be more time before you appeared at the Northern Wall.

Don't be so dull. I wanted to see what my child was playing with.

The relics of Chaldea. Are those the bugs that still cling to the world of man?

Tiny. Insignificant. Such fragile, frail creatures.

I do not understand at all. How did life like yours come this far?

You are unworthy of tormenting, of killing, even of my gaze. Even your taste is nothing but disappointing.

...But rejoice. For I am very hungry right now.

Even worthless lives like yours should still be tasty. Will humanity's last Master be sweet or bitter?

Tiamat is scowling at us... I can't...move!

Neither can I! Not at all! This... This is bad...!

Is this fear-induced paralysis? Or some sort of Mystic Eyes? It's...it's so powerful it even works on me!

...

R-right! Deep...deep breaths!

"Gills"? What do you mean!? But I guess I get it. "Merlin" and "merman" are mortifyingly similar!

？！

Right! Now's not the time to get scared! She might be a goddess, but why worship such an evil being!

Mash! Trust your Master!

No matter who you're up against, you're still alive right now! And you have the world's greatest swindler, Merlin, there with you!

Anyway, run to the Northern Wall! It's too early to give up!

？！

...Of course! I'll do what I can, Master!

I see. So lively. At least that is...interesting. ...Very well. Step back, my child. I will handle this.

I will crush humanity's hope as if I were plucking a ripe strawberry... A fun and sweet end for you, don't you think?

I don't understand at all. This is the first time I've felt baffled.

Even with life as fragile as yours, you still have all of your limbs attached. That makes no sense at all.

I don't see any damage to Tiamat! The second we wound her she regenerates!

Is that the Authority given to her in the Mesopotamian creation myth as mother of the Demonic Beasts!?

No, that's not an Authority of a goddess. She's regenerating from the Holy Grail's supply of magical energy.

I just confirmed it. That Servant has the King of Mages' Holy Grail!

Oh? It seems you have a knowledgeable one with you. That is indeed what I possess.

But don't make light of me. I am not using the Holy Grail's magical energy at all. I have manifested as the Goddess of Demonic Beasts...

I wouldn't use power from elsewhere to destroy the humans.

I am using my own power, my own hatred, my own anger, and that's enough to destroy you three times over!

Ugh... We're practically useless against a goddess's Authority, and now she has a Holy Grail, too!?

Now...I've had enough of this nonsense. You will die screaming! Playtime is over!

？！

It's only one hundred meters to the Nippur gates! But we won't make it! She's just too big!

We're not going to make it! We can't even get out of her arm's reach! ...At least, I need to get Senpai out of here!

You've done well in holding out this long! Leave the rest to me, Mash!

U-Ushiwakamaru!?

Run to the gates and don't look back! I'll hold back that monster!

He couldn't keep up with me! ...Tell him not to worry!

？！

It's fine, Lord Fujimaru. Please be cheerful. Victory won't come to those who cannot smile.

In my past life...Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune's life, I didn't have that. Thus, even in victory, I kept losing until the end.

That sort of end wouldn't fit you.

Another bug, huh? You're an eyesore! I will crush you!

Ridiculous! You're no Miyamoto. You cannot catch a bug with that body of yours!

How dare you run on top of my tail!

That serpent form has gotten the better of you!

The Wandering Tales of Shana-oh, Act Two, Usumidori: Heavenly Blade Steps! Taste my sword!

How DARE you wound my face with your blade! I won't forgive you. Begone!

(This is useless. I can't even run through the skies without any ships.)

(It takes a master to grab a fly with chopsticks, but anyone, even Lady Masako, could hit such a beast with a sword.)

(I never thought I would be done in by a snake's tail. I seem to have come to another pathetic end...)

Ushiwakamaru! Master, Ushiwakamaru is...!

Mash, don't stop! There's been no change in Tiamat's signature!

She's catching up to you with incredible speed...! She'll break through Nippur's wall soon!

...So that's where you were, insects. I'm not letting you get away.

I may have lowered myself into the form of a Demonic Beast, but I am still a god. Don't try to make me a liar.

What a persistent goddess, just like a snake! I suppose that's rude to snakes, though. They don't act out of resentment!

You don't stop talking, do you, mage? Very well. I will crush you first.

Heh. Try it if you can! Take this chance to run away, Fujimaru!

I didn't mention this before, but I'm immortal. After all, I'm half-incubus.

The second this body is smashed, I will reappear in the world of dreams!

But I'll need some time to return, so let's decide on a place to meet! How about the king's

Hold on! Wha...? Wait. Could this be...

Immortal due to powerlessness? In that case, it's been a while, but I'll use my eyes.

I've collected enough human statues, but a statue of a half-incubus might look good in my temple.

The Mystic Eyes of Petrification!? Dammit! My one true weakness!

Sorry! I take it all back, Fujimaru! Protect me, whatever it takes! Defeeeeeend me, Fujimaru!

I can't explain it, but it'd be REALLY bad if I lost consciousness!

If I get turned to stone, everything we have done here will be for naught!

？！

Right! Leave it to me, Master! We're almost to the Northern Wall... We'll get away any way we can!

I see. So you can block my Mystic Eyes with your shield. You're being extremely reckless, girl.

My tongue dances. My lips drip. My blood boils with past humiliation.

You humans will be sacrificed. My Thousand Mystic Eyes will turn the fortress and everything around it into ash!

Such desperate measures... How odd... It seems it was a mistake to underestimate you.

I suppose you were powerful enough to overcome six Singularities. Enough even to stop me breaking you down in one breath.

...However, I will kill you all. Every single one of you must die at our hands, down to the last child.

Scatter! Flee, you pathetic creatures of flesh! The beasts of Kur will devour you! The lives you've ended scream for your blood!

Silence, monster! Your fixation on pure brutality rivals even the king of Persia!

Speak and be heard if you have grievances! My three hundred soldiers and I will give you a chance to do so!

Here goes! My friends, bring your souls hither! Thermopylae Enomotia!

Fuuuuuu...

...Good. It seems I somehow made it here in time...

King Leonidas! You rushed over here from the gates!

...No. This can't be.

...It was unavoidable. Our protection is simply sturdy shields.

Sturdy, yes, but nothing like the shields wielded by legendary heroes. And so, of course, we can only block physical attacks.

...Which is why I was able to deflect your heat ray. Does that shake your old bones, Greek goddess?

Monstrous, accursed creature, transformed by Athena, and loathed by all, murderer of many heroes:

You are the monster born from the sisters of the Shapeless Isle. No... The composite deity, the Great Demonic Beast, Gorgon.

...So it's King Leonidas. You deflected my heat gaze, and spoke a cursed name.

But because it was you, O King of Flamesyou who discarded nothing, even when you yourself were abandonedI will charge you with no other sins.

At least die a hero. You needn't see the end of the human world.

...Heh. That is not possible. Just like my soul, the human world is immortal.

Just as you have, the human world will inevitably end.

The world's most powerful protector has died for NOTHING! What better proof could you ask for!?

Raise your voices, Demonic Beasts! The time has come!

I myself will assault Uruk and kill the king! Unleash your hatred, and trample down the humans who escaped!

What the...!? That's Tiamat!? ...Or is it Gorgon!? Jeez, this is so confusing!

She was so focused on Fujimaru earlier, but now she's not paying any attention to him.

She's planning on just advancing with the Demonic Beasts!

...It's unfortunate, but it seems so. Perhaps King Leonidas's words calmed her down...

Like a human trampling ants underfoot, she will continue from here towards Uruk.

Right now, we have no way to stop that. Just pray that she doesn't stomp us down on a whim.

This... This can't be...!

Ushiwakamaru and King Leonidas saved us, yet we can't do anything about this?

Please wait. Isn't that a little short-sighted, Mother?

What?

Conquering Uruk is only a small step. Isn't the real issue the other goddesses, rather than the humans?

The alliance is dissolved once Uruk falls. The second generation is reserved for those coming battles.

100,000 offspring await birth in the Blood Fort. Until they're born, the Three Goddess Alliance must continue.

Besides, ending it like this won't be satisfying. ...We should take our time tormenting humans.

They took away the beasts' land and young. They oppressed Mother. They forgot everything...

Flames of hatred do not burn without a target. You cannot possibly discard hatred so easily.

...Mother, you are no longer a Greek goddess. You are an incarnation of Tiamat, a god of Mesopotamia.

So, please think it over. Return to your Blood Fort.

...

Be grateful of the restraint my son shows, humans. However, your fated destruction still looms.

Ten dawns from now, we will destroy Uruk. If you value your lives, flee to the ends of the earth.

If you can escape, that is. Over 100,000 of my Demonic Beasts will come to life in my temple.

Merely killing you off won't be enough. So, try to save yourselves, if you can.

When you've drowned in terror, abandoned your comrades, gone mad from doubt, and become mere beasts, THEN I will grind what remains of you to dust.

...Whew. Thankfully, she retreated. Life is hard when you have such an unreasonable parent.

That's one thing we have in common with humans. Children can't choose their parents. Don't you think so, Fujimaru?

？！

The meaning? I just saved your lives. I mean, it'd be so disappointing if this was the end, right?

For Mother, you are all vermin that need to be exterminated. In truth, she needs to focus on the other goddesses.

And the other two goddesses seem to be utilizing humans effectively.

So, if we just slaughtered all the humans, those two would be...upset.

I serve Tiamat. So, to ensure things go smoothly, I'm keeping humans alive a bit longer.

？！

Oh, I don't need to hide that any longer, either. I, like the Demonic Beasts, am a creation of Mother.

A prototype of the people who will rule the world in your place, replacing you archaic humans who abandoned her.

A new breed of humanity created by the great Tiamat, the primordial goddess. My True Name is Kingu.

Kingu...!

It's the name of the god that led the Eleven Offspring of Tiamat in the creation myth!

Right. But I'm not a reincarnation, or anything stupid like that.

That Kingu was a failure who feared Marduk, and fled. There was no need to revive such a coward.

But, I am different. I am a perfect being, modeled after Enkidu, the greatest masterpiece of the gods...

I was designed as the perfect, new human.

So, I guarantee you. Humans will not go extinct. Humanity will be reborn right here, with me.

After you old humans die out, I will be the first of the new humans. We will take over and continue with your history.

So, rest assured as you are annihilated. The last salvation you are given is the joy of returning to the void.

Lord Leonidas, the commander who never stopped defending this Northern Wall, has passed away...

The Demonic Beasts keep coming... And, our enemy is Tiamat...

This is truly the end... In ten days, Mesopotamia will fall to ruin...

...There you are. So... Lord Leonidas is indeed gone...

...I am going to take my leave as well. Please give King Gilgamesh my apologies for not meeting his expectations.

...I... Well, I failed my master once again.

...Indeed.

？！

When that Goddess of Demonic Beasts appeared, Lord Yoshitsune rushed out to save you without a second look.

However, I could not do that. ...It wasn't that I couldn't catch up to Lord Yoshitsune.

It was that I faltered, even if only for a moment.

I was no match for that goddess. I protected myself, thinking there was no way I could win against her.

As a result, I sent Lord Yoshitsune off alone yet again. I fled from my lord as she rushed to her final battle.

...I was a coward unfit to be Musashibou after all. Now, I can no longer see the point in fighting.

Th-that's not true! We need your power, Benkei!

...You overestimate me.

The only fate fit for a fool like me is to die in some ditch in the wilds, fighting Demonic Beasts...

...He's gone... He left for the ruins of Nippur, where Ushiwakamaru fought...

Seems so. His dropout hurts our combat strength, but if he's not motivated, there's nothing we can do.

We might as well tell a soulless corpse to fight for us. We need to seek warriors who can fight, not those who can't.

Oh, don't look at me like that. Even I can understand Benkei's feelings.

But... look over there.

Idiot, what's with the sullen looks!? Tiamat is gone, but the Demonic Beasts remain!

Which means there's only one thing to do! Look for survivors, rescue the injured, and regroup!

Guard the fortress, replenish our weapons, train those muscles! That is the everyday life Lord Leonidas pounded into us!

Ugh...! No matter when, he never made a single complaint!

Even when facing the jaws of death or in an inferior position, he never abandoned his will to act!

"I'm not saying you should fly. Take some bricks, and line them up here."

"It's something anyone can do, and it's the most important thing." He did that until the very end!

That's...that's... ...You're right. Right. That was the pride of this land.

It wasn't just the pride of Lord Leonidas. It was the pride of every one of us...!

That's right! Now, we will regroup the squadron right away!

That monster only melted away part of the rampart. Drag out the resident construction squad and begin repairs!

Tell the engineers everything that happened! We need to prepare for further attacks!

Everyone... They were all in such low spirits, but now...!

Yeah. They swallowed their terror and stood up. We can't afford to be depressed, either.

...You're right. There are people out here that aren't crushed even after seeing that.

There's no way that Musashibou Benkei wouldn't stand up after seeing them behave like that.

Yeah. He just needs time for now. He's sure to return.

Until then, we need to proceed with our countermeasures. We first need to regroup with Ana, since Cath Palug teleported her somewhere.

Then we need to return to Uruk and report to King Gilgamesh. We lost a lot this time, but also gained a lot:

The Demonic Beast Goddess's True Name and true nature. Kingu, claiming to be its son. And the whereabouts of the Mage King's Grail.

With this much information, we can think of the next step. The situation is finally turning around.

We've seen nothing but defeat until now... It's about time we get a counterattack going.

Isn't that right, Fujimaru of Chaldea? I've noticed how you love to make a comeback in the second half.

Yes! I'll accompany you, Master!

Hahaha. That'd make us feel a bit better. But in order for that to happen...

...we'll need you to mature a little more!

？！

Where is this... I haven't disappeared yet... My body is fine. But my limbs...

...They're fused with the wall. I can neither flee nor die like this...

...? Forward? I just need to keep going forward? If I do, I can get outside?

That's right. When you leave the temple, there will be a lake. Use normal cedars, not the black ones, to guide your way.

What happens after that is none of my concern. But you should be able to survive for ten days or so if you stick around the lake.

You can head to the city and try to avoid the Demonic Beasts, or you can breathe your last there at the lake. Do what you like.

...Yeah. Thanks, mister. If you'd like, please come see us.

That was...

Oh, are you awake already? I expected nothing less from a Servant. You're as tough as a Demonic Beast.

Green hair, beautiful features... You must be Enkidu. This is the first time I've seen your face.

Still, what a horrific sight. If this is your home base, I suppose you've taken me prisoner because you plan to do... THAT to me?

I'm glad you're quick to understand. As you can see, this is a factory of sorts.

Tiamat's Demonic Beasts are all created from one maternal body. But that alone has its limits.

So, if it's greater numbers and a wider variety of species we desire, what we truly need is a larger "womb."

This temple was created for that purpose.

One piece of flesh creates about three Uridimmus. On the other hand, three pieces of flesh only yield a single Ugallu.

...I see. You call them Tiamat's offspring, but this is horrible.

In the end, they weren't even soldiers. For you, they're nothing but expendable tools.

Ugh...!

Oh, sorry. My hand slipped a bit, and I seem to have spilled some of your guts. But you're all right, aren't you?

Yes, yes. Both of us were a bit too careless.

Me, my hands that move so easily. You, that cheeky mouth of yours. You should watch that.

Though, soon enough, you will be just like them.

Once we plant an egg in that stomach, you will begin to change, however slowly.

The saving grace is that the brain morphs last. You will be yourself until the final moment.

Oh, so I see both you and this so-called mother are fools. Leaving the consciousness intact until the very end is the poorest plan.

Every single one of them must have fought to the very end, even after the transformation was complete. All you did was give them strength to fight.

You're not wrong. But it's nothing you need to worry about.

Those that become materials melt away from the extremities. In the end, their limbs end up like maggots.

And after you turn into nothing more than slimy goo, you are tossed into each Demonic Beast's adjustment tank.

You can resist all you want. Fantasize about it to your heart's content. We'll let you dream that much.

...I see. For all that, you seem a bit...lax.

What?

Why did you let the children escape? I thought you only let us dream?

A difference in values. I don't have any grudges like Mother.

I only kill threats. I kill human soldiers because they could potentially be threats against me.

The young ones... The children will not be threats. So, there is no need to kill them here.

But there's no reason to keep them alive, either.

Whatever you may think, you heard the voice of that child calling for help, and answered it.

How strange from the enemy of humanity. Trying to act like a demon, yet unable to embrace complete cruelty.

You know what folk like that are called? Clowns. They are ridiculed on the battlefield as such.

...I see. It seems like a special treatment is required for you.

No egg for you. Instead, I'll take you to see Mother.

The true Authority of Tiamat is the "sea of life." Those that fall into that sea become Tiamat's child as they are.

Servants are no exception. Frankly put, it's a kind of black mud that corrupts any Spirit Origins.

Primordial life. The sea of chaos. In the world of magecraft, it is called the mud of the Holy Grail.

The King of Mages named this the Chaos Tide.

I'm looking forward to it now, Ushiwakamaru. What kind of monster will you become?