Chapter 66: Why Does Looking at It Make Me Hungry?
"What————————?!"
The sudden change caught Jeanne Alter off guard. She was sent flying into the air, surrounded by countless slippery tentacles.
"Is this all you've got?!!!"
Jeanne Alter twisted her body midair, channeling her mana to conjure a barrage of black spears, which she fired at the writhing mass of tentacles enclosing around her.
"Chiiit chiiit!!!"
The tentacles that were struck let out shrill, pained screeches but didn't stop. Instead, smaller tendrils sprouted from them, swiftly coiling around Jeanne Alter's arms and legs, binding her in place.
"Damn it, Gilles!!!"
Restrained, Jeanne Alter tried to swing her sword, but both the blade and her wrists were wrapped tightly, rendering her unable to move.
In that brief moment, the tentacles surrounding her began to unfurl—revealing countless eerie, green eyes.
The many pupils scanned every inch of her body before slowly creeping closer, as if preparing to consume her whole.
"Jeanne, come now, let me grant your wish!"
Gilles de Rais, now the core of the Sea Demon, cried out in ecstasy.
"As long as hatred lingers in your heart, this country, this land, will be swallowed by your wrath!!!"
As the Marshal's frenzied voice echoed, the sea of eyes gradually enveloped Jeanne Alter.
SWOOSH————————!!!
A series of sharp slashes tore through the tentacles, creating an opening in the entrapment.
"She's yours, Mash!"
"Understood!!!"
Immediately after, a shield soared up from the ground.
"Haa!!!"
Mash channeled all her strength into her shield.
BOOM————————!!!
The moment the shield collided with the massive tentacles, they began to convulse violently.
Seizing the opportunity, Mash stretched out her hand toward Jeanne Alter.
"Witch-san, take my hand!"
Though reluctant, Jeanne Alter wasn't about to waste her chance to escape. She reached out with all her might.
"I won't let you!!!"
Gilles de Rais roared.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH——————!!!
From beneath the water, countless new tentacles shot up.
This time, they weren't just targeting Jeanne Alter—Mash was in their sights as well!
The monster intended to devour them both!
"Shit!!!"
Mordred wanted to unleash her Noble Phantasm, but she feared harming Mash. If she rushed in to help now, it would already be too late.
"Chronos Rose!!!"
Just as the tentacles were about to coil around Mash and Jeanne Alter—
They were suddenly… severed.
As if an invisible, razor-sharp blade had sliced through them, they fell apart mid-motion.
The cuts were so precise that they avoided both Mash and Jeanne Alter entirely.
The tentacles restraining Jeanne Alter were completely severed, freeing her instantly.
Without hesitation, she raised her hand, conjuring roaring black flames in her palm.
BOOM————————!!!
A massive explosion erupted, obliterating the remaining tentacles around her into chunks!
Moments later, two figures tumbled down onto the shore.
"Mash!!!"
Ethan immediately rushed to check on Mash.
"Cough… cough…"
Mash sat on the ground, coughing violently. It seemed the explosion had affected her somewhat.
"Are you alright?"
"Cough… I'm fine, Senpai."
Mash coughed a few more times before flashing a reassuring smile at Ethan.
"I think I inhaled a little of the air over there, but the toxin's effects on me are weak. I just need to rest for a bit, and I'll be okay."
The blood of the Sea Demon is also highly toxic, and furthermore, the surface of the water ahead has begun to emit a thick layer of mist—it seems to contain toxins as well.
However, as the strongest Shielder, Mash is hardly affected by common weakening effects.
"Master, was it Emiya-san who just saved us?"
Mash looked around but saw no sign of Emiya Kiritsugu.
Even though she had never seen Emiya Kiritsugu's Noble Phantasm, as a Demi-Servant, she could still sense the presence of a Servant.
"Umu, he's already gone to support Johanna and Martha."
Indeed, entrusting the task of assisting both sides to Emiya Kiritsugu—a man with keen judgment—was the correct decision.
Simply put, Emiya Kiritsugu's current role was that of a "Jungler."
His importance was unquestionable.
The recent scene sent the entire livestream into a frenzy, as it was rare for a broadcast to cause such a severe loss of "sanity."
[Mom, there are too many eyes, I'm terrified, my trypophobia is acting up!]
[Reason is a curse; madness is the only true freedom! All Hail Tentacles!]
[The voices of the Great Tentacle Gods are calling me!]
[Tentacle, Saintess, Corruption... For some reason, I suddenly feel an odd sense of excitement!! Haa Haa.]
[Bro above, you're a real pervert. But I like it!]
[Truck-sama, if I get reincarnated, please let me become a tentacle! I want to play with the Saintesses too!]
[BONK! Bro, BONK!]
[What are you all scared of? This is just special effects! Look closely, doesn't it... just look like squid tentacles?]
[...You really took this conversation to another level, huh?]
[Look at these tentacles, throw them on an iron skillet, sprinkle some green onions, add a bit of cumin... damn, the neighborhood kids are drooling already!]
[Grilled tentacle on an iron skillet, just one and the whole place smells amazing—this is a specialty from a distant land called... France.]
...
[System: 'Ultimate Joker' has sent 99 Saint Quartz!]
[Message: Damn it, reading the comments made me hungry, I'm ordering grilled food delivery now!]
[System: 'Bruce-kun' has sent 1,000 Saint Quartz!]
[Message: Ding~, an order has been sent from Gotham Central Hospital! Please come and collect it.]
[System: 'Ultimate Joker' has sent 50 Saint Quartz!]
[Message: B-Bro, please spare me! I just happened to have the same name!]
…
"Damn you, Gilles, you dare to try and eat me?!"
Jeanne Alter's face twisted in rage.
If earlier she still thought she could negotiate with Gilles de Rais, believing that the truce between her and Ethan was merely temporary...
Then now, she completely understood—this massive tentacle monster before her had no intention of negotiating at all.
"Hey, kid over there, is the plan you mentioned ready yet?"
Jeanne Alter's expression looked extremely irritated.
"If you're still not ready, I'll have my Familiar and Fafnir handle it."
"..."
Faced with Jeanne Alter's questioning, Ethan could only look into the distance.
He knew that setting up a large-scale barrier would take time, but he still believed that Johanna and Martha could complete the plan.
"Chiu chiu——————!!!"
At that moment, a crisp bird cry rang out in the sky.
Right after, the flight path of a white owl in the air left behind a glowing silver magic circle!
As the magic circle formed, the Sea Demon in the water seemed to sense something and began to grow restless and agitated.
"With my prayer, open the path ahead!!!"
Johanna's clear voice rang out, and instantly, the silver magic circle surrounding the Sea Demon and the formation in the sky activated simultaneously!
A massive wall of light rose up, trapping it inside.
"Gyaa——————!!!"
The Sea Demon at the center thrashed its tentacles violently, roaring. But each time its tentacles touched the wall of light, they recoiled in pain.
"It worked!"
Ethan immediately looked at the imprisoned monster, then commanded everyone:
"Everyone, take your positions—counterattack begins!!!"