Chapter 495

Mash and Ritsuka whispered to each other, looking at the red-haired boy who seemed troubled.

"That's understandable, considering this operation ignored King Gilgamesh's advice and even lost to Servant with a comical appearance..."

Merlin, who knew the truth, covered his mouth and chuckled to himself.

After a short rest, the group continued on their way.

After another thirty minutes of jungle exploration, they finally arrived at their destination City of Ur.

This city, similar in size to Uruk, is completely surrounded by an otherworldly sea of trees, however—

To everyone's surprise, there were still many citizens on the streets.

The citizens of City of Ur continued their normal lives as if nothing had happened.

"Unbelievable, a city we'd lost contact with for six months is still..."

"But everyone seems a bit listless. Let's go find out what's going on."

Merlin called out to a passerby.

Approached by a handsome, frivolous young man, the woman looked at him warily. "... Who are you? Did you cross the river here?"

"Yes, we came from Uruk."

Because King Gilgamesh ordered us to come and investigate Ur, which has been swallowed by the forest.

"Oh, you've come all the way from Uruk. That must be a long journey for you."

Although she said welcoming words, she didn't seem very enthusiastic.

Merlin continued to demonstrate his shamelessness and outgoing nature, which proved to be a great help at this time.

"Oh my, I didn't expect everyone in City of Ur to still be alive."

If Wang had known everyone was still alive, he would have organized a large-scale rescue team and rushed over much earlier.

"Rescue team... I see."

A shadow crossed the woman's eyes. "I'm very sorry, but we will not seek refuge in Uruk."

Because Ur is safe—as long as you're in the jungle, the Magical Beast can't get in.

As long as we abide by the laws of the Goddess of the Jungle, we will not be killed by Magical Beast.

Upon hearing her say this, everyone suddenly realized what she meant.

Since they approached the jungle, they have not encountered any more attacks from Magical Beast.

"So, the Goddess of the Jungle is protecting the people of City of Ur?"

That's why you've cut off all contact with the outside world; as long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

Merlin's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

"How could that be! We did consider sending reinforcements to Uruk!"

The City of Ur exclaimed excitedly, "But... this..."

"This practice violates the laws set forth by the Goddess of the Jungle, doesn't it?"

Shirou said, "While you gain safety, you will also be unable to leave Ur."

Whether they come to rescue you or go out to provide support, they will all be killed equally by the forest.

That's all we can do, nothing more. This must be Ur's method of self-defense.

The City of Ur lowered their heads. "Yes... thank you for your understanding."

"Yes, of course I understand. As long as you don't resist, you can survive."

Because this is a common tactic used by those who give up on themselves.

Shirou raised an eyebrow and asked bluntly, "So, how many living sacrifices are offered to the goddess? Is it about one a day?"

"!"

The City of Ur stared wide-eyed, as did Mash and Ritsuka.

When it comes to Central and South America mythology, Shirou immediately thinks of the culture of human sacrifice.

Even looking at civilizations all over the world, there is nowhere else with such a strong and profound blood sacrifice culture.

Therefore, Shirou immediately guessed that the citizens of City of Ur must have been sacrificed alive to bring about this oppressive peace.

"We... we did nothing wrong! The living sacrifice was the necessary price!"

The woman admitted without being asked, and her voice became more intense. "Everyone makes their choices based on acceptance and agreement!"

All they need to do is send one person a day to the temple of Eridu as a living sacrifice! That way, the demon will be satisfied!

Mash was speechless. "Have you been protecting yourselves this way all along? Neither fighting nor going to Uruk!?"

"You... what do you, an outsider, know! You must have never seen that terrifying goddess to utter such stupid words!"

The female citizens shouted hysterically, "Even if City of Ur unite, they can't defeat that goddess! Communication won't work either!"

That's nothing but a monster that lives in the forest, a monster that only knows how to "hunt" and "slaughter"!

All we can do is endure it while fearing when it will be our turn...!

There is no normal place left in any corner of Mesopotamia...!

The woman screamed and ran away.

"Oh dear, I've messed it up."

Merlin looked around. "I originally wanted to gather more information, but the nearby citizens also felt guilty..."

They rushed home in a panic.

It seems this investigation has to end here.

"No, wait a minute."

"What's wrong, Mr. Shirou?"

Shirou turned to the side.

That place—according to the citizen who just mentioned it—should be Eridu, where the Goddess of the Jungle resides.

"Mash, prepare for the impact."

"Huh? Why?"

Despite her confusion, the girl with the shield decided to trust Shirou.

Then everyone saw it—

The crimson meteor was clearly visible even in broad daylight.

"A small asteroid is falling towards us!?"

Ritsuka screamed in disbelief.

While they are still far apart in size, "that" falling to the ground at this moment has an aura that is in no way inferior to that of an asteroid.

"Ah! Can I borrow this room? Ana, come over here quickly too~"

Merlin hid behind Mash's shield.

"Shirou...?"

"Ana, you'd better get safe; that guy's after me."

As Shirou said this, he turned his back to the girl.

"I am the bone of my sword."

The boy whispered as he sang a liberating chant.

Shirou raised his right arm toward the star that burns all things, releasing the mystery within him.

"The Round Albion (round albion)!!"

Those are... dragon scales...?

The girl, standing behind the large shield, stared blankly at the dome of light that surrounded her and her companions.

In that instant, she seemed to see the ancient dragon that had vanished.

The falling meteor ultimately failed to penetrate Shirou's defenses, only shattering several layers of his outer shell.

"That's awesome!"

A clear, refreshing female voice emerged from the explosive heat.

A tall, athletic blonde woman landed gracefully and dusted herself off.

She was the true form of the asteroid that suddenly struck.

In the instant their eyes met, everyone understood.

This woman is the terrifying being known as the Goddess of the Jungle.

An overwhelming presence, and the "personhood" of a deity.

No enemy the Chaldea group has encountered so far can compare to her.

"Although he didn't use his full strength, he actually withstood my attack... Can humans really train to this extent?"

That's amazing... You're absolutely amazing!

The Goddess of the Jungle stared intently at Shirou's face, licking her lips excitedly.

Volume 7: 319 The Dual Service of a Beautiful Widow and a Loyal Young Girl?

Thump--!

A woman exuding exotic charm crashed down in front of everyone with the force of an asteroid, creating a crater several meters deep in the center of the street.

She is about 180 centimeters tall, with golden curly hair that flows in the wind like ears of wheat.

Although her figure is generally slender and feminine, her long arms and thighs are rounded and full, giving an incredible feeling of hidden power.

That attack just now-

Even the aftershocks have already reached the level of Anti-City Noble Phantasm.

It makes one wonder if, if she were to get serious, she could simply raise a hand and evaporate the entire City of Ur.

In fact, the values displayed on the various professional detection instruments in the Chaldea control room had reached an unbelievable level.

"The magical properties are the same as those in the tropical jungle we just saw, and the wavelengths are also perfectly matched... Be careful, everyone!"

If I'm not mistaken, this guy is probably the Goddess of the Jungle, the last pillar of the "Three Goddess Alliance"!

"Huh? That's rude~ Who are you calling 'this guy'?"

The blonde goddess leaned down, smiling as she peered at the 3D image of Dr. Roman.

That smile was as radiant as the sun, yet it carried a chilling intensity.

Romani Archiman let out a mournful cry of "Eek!" and hid behind Da Vinci.

Even Ritsuka, at this point, no longer has the luxury of mocking the doctor for being cowardly.

She was sweating profusely, watching the goddess before her warily.

Those are the true gods and goddesses--

She's a type that Ritsuka Fujimaru has never seen before.

"Oh dear, I heard the Jaguar Man is in some trouble..."

My sacrificial ceremony just ended today, so I came over to check it out, and unexpectedly caught a big fish!

Master and half- Servant from Chaldea, Court Magus from Uruk, and then...

The goddess smiled brightly, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on the red-haired boy.

"Are you the legendary 'Magical Beast Slayer'? You're just as outstanding and adorable as the rumors say, I really like you!"

"... Magical Beast Slayer?"