"…Can we still monitor Tiamat's condition?"
Shiomi tightened his grip on Artoria's hand as he asked Romani.
"Her Spirit Origin is still active… but for now, she's unable to move," Romani reported urgently. "Tiamat was in the middle of an attack when she took a direct hit from Quetzalcoatl's double Noble Phantasm. The Mana she hadn't yet discharged was forced back by Ishtar's strike. It's the combined result of both attacks!"
Shiomi glanced back at the battlefield now receding into the distance.
"But it's only a matter of ti before she starts moving again..." he muttered. "And now she has wings... Once she takes flight—"
"Even if she does, Tiamat will still land in Uruk," Hakuno said. "Unless she destroys Uruk, the heart of sopotamia, she can't fully transform the Singularity into her own world."
"Then... what if she targets the refugees taking shelter at the northern wall first?" Shiomi pressed.
Artoria's grip on his hand tightened slightly. "That's why we have to attack first—do everything we can to draw her attention."
Uruk was Tiamat's primary target from the start. There was no chance she'd abandon it. But by launching an offensive there, they could snuff out even the slightest risk of deviation.
...
Suddenly, Shiomi sensed sothing behind them. When he turned, the remaining Laḫmu had started moving again—pursuing them in the direction of Uruk.
"Master, cover !"
Artoria gestured for Hakuno to retreat, then stood atop the pterosaur's back, raising her hand to initiate a limited release of the Holy Lance.
"Leave it to ." Shiomi took a deep breath and focused, pouring everything into converting the True Ether of the Age of Gods into his own Mana. "Great Ice Age!"
A sudden drop in temperature caused the surrounding moisture to condense into dense droplets. The mont the Laḫmu ca into contact, their bodies began freezing—thick ice spreading rapidly and slowing them down mid-air.
That opening allowed Artoria's Holy Lance to strike true—each shot hitting its mark more cleanly.
The pterosaur, bolstered by the power of the Primordial Runes, was flying at top speed toward Uruk. But the Laḫmu weren't far behind, and Artoria's attacks could only hold off so many at once.
Using their numbers, the Laḫmu swarm broke through the Grand Magecraft barriers Shiomi had set up. A few managed to slip past without being slowed and continued their pursuit.
"Tch..." Shiomi clicked his tongue in frustration.
He clenched his fist. Lightning crackled down like a dense net, striking the advancing Laḫmu and reducing them to dust.
"This is endless. Master—stabilize the pterosaur!"
Artoria raised her Holy Sword again, eyes locked on the closing Laḫmu. Mana surged through the blade.
She quickly used Magecraft to strengthen the pterosaur and brace her footing, making sure she could step forward without cracking its back.
"Sheathed in the breath of the planet, a torrent of shining life. Feel its wrath! Excalibur!"
A brilliant beam of light streaked across the sky. Everywhere it passed, Laḫmu disintegrated instantly, leaving not even a cry behind.
Even though the pterosaur withstood the Noble Phantasm's backlash, the sheer force on its back nearly flipped it, almost throwing both riders off.
Wings still trembling from the recoil, the pterosaur veered wildly. Artoria lost her balance and dropped onto its back with a jolt.
But the strike had wiped out the main pursuit force.
She sheathed the Holy Sword, let out a soft breath, and smiled with relief.
"Um... Artoria, if you don't mind, could you get off ?"
Shiomi's voice ca from beneath her.
Only then did she realize she had accidentally sat down on him as he crouched, pinning him flat.
At that mont, Shiomi was lying on the pterosaur's back, his hands gripping her thighs to help steady her posture.
Her skirt was pressed against the back of his neck, and Artoria panicked. If they weren't still on a battlefield with Laḫmu in pursuit, she might've completely lost her composure.
"I'm sorry, Master!" Artoria quickly stood up and moved aside.
Shiomi sat up again, glancing at the Laḫmu behind them—now too far away to close the gap. The pterosaur was already within sight of Uruk.
"Shiomi, once you enter Uruk, imdiately lower your altitude! King Gilgash is about to activate the Dingir Seals to intercept the pursuing Laḫmu!"
"Got it!"
They finally reached the skies above Uruk at top speed. The 360 Dingirs embedded in the city walls activated all at once, bombarding the Laḫmu overhead.
Half had already been deployed earlier to fend off incoming Magical Beasts and Laḫmu, but now they ford a full barrage.
The downpour of Noble Phantasms created an impenetrable defense line, halting the Laḫmu's advance before they could breach Uruk.
As soon as they landed on the terrace before the throne, Shiomi heard Scáthach's concerned voice:
"Covered in blood again. You couldn't resist using your Authority, could you?"
"Yeah..." Shiomi gave his teacher an apologetic look.
"But Master didn't act recklessly this ti," Artoria explained. "His actions disrupted Tiamat's attack and forced her into a brief halt. If we can wound her severely and push her back into the Underworld, he might be able to break through her ntal defenses and reach her heart."
Scáthach helped Shiomi sit down, sighing with a wry smile. "Of course I know."
"My husband, please rest and recover your strength as soon as possible. Scáthach has already set up support spells for you." Morgan's voice ca from above.
She remained seated atop the modified throne, syncing with its internal Mana.
It was clear she regretted not being able to personally greet Shiomi upon his return.
Runes ford beneath him, their magical circuits glowing faintly. Shiomi could feel the support taking effect and went quiet.
He glanced to the side. Hakuno had stepped down from the Vimana and reunited with the Chaldea girls.
Though they'd made it back safely, the cost had been steep.
"Goddess Quetzalcoatl and Goddess Ishtar have already..." Artoria began, but trailed off before finishing.
Scáthach silently mourned for them in her heart. "I see..."
"But with Tiamat having shifted into her dragon-form Spirit Origin, I fear..." Shiomi clenched his fists.
Whether they aid to speak with her or destroy her completely, the strategic objective remained the sa. Only the final step would differ.
"Enough talk. Just focus on resting now."
Scáthach said, gripping both of his clenched hands—Artoria on one side, herself on the other.
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