DanMachi: Ultimate Lich King

Disgusting creatures bound Saber, their slime coating her armor.

The Caster laughed maniacally, enjoying Saber's struggle.

"Jeanne, look at yourself—helpless, pitiful. Where is your almighty God?"

BOOM! A torrent of magical energy erupted from Saber's seemingly frail body, shattering the creatures.

Her invisible sword pointed at the Caster; her emerald eyes burned with rage.

"Extra Command Seals, the Grail War… irrelevant. My purpose is your destruction!"

"Oh, oh, Jeanne…"

The Caster, slightly breathless, was stunned by Saber's power. His expression wasn't fear, but confusion and bewilderment.

"So noble, righteous… Holy Maiden. Even gods would be humbled before you!"

The Caster's voice was joyful, then fell silent. The creatures surged towards Saber.

"I defiled my love! I'm mired in love's mire! Holy maiden!"

His cries and Saber's sword clashed, initiating a desperate struggle.

Panting, Saber fought; the wound from Gae Bolg bled anew; she gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain, cleaving a creature in two.

Damn it, it's endless… The creatures weren't decreasing; they were multiplying; Saber felt helpless.

"Could it be…?" Saber looked at the glowing human-skin book in the Caster's hand, suspecting the worst.

"Nostalgic, Jeanne. Everything's the same."

The Caster looked dazed, watching Saber's increasingly desperate battle.

"Even outnumbered, you're fearless, unwavering; your eyes never doubt victory. You haven't changed. Your noble spirit, your holy soul—proof of your being Jeanne d'Arc. Yet…"

The usual nonsense. Saber focused on killing the creatures; arguing would only benefit the enemy.

"Why? Why aren't you awake? Do you still believe in God's protection? Do you expect a miracle?

How pathetic! Have you forgotten the Maid of Orléans? God's trap that cast you from glory into ruin! Even after such humiliation, you're still God's puppet?!"

She wanted to silence him, to show him the consequences of his actions—but her sword couldn't reach him. The creatures blocked her, keeping her far from the Caster.

But as the creatures prepared to attack, a pale light spread along their tentacles.

Instantly, the creatures froze into crystalline ice sculptures.

"This…"

The familiar magical energy reminded Saber of something; though not targeted at her, she felt the cold.

A bone-chilling coldness spread from her limbs; her thoughts slowed.

Such terrifying magic… is he just an ordinary Master?

Saber wondered if she'd mistaken something; perhaps he wasn't the Master, but the hidden Caster; the girl and the white-haired woman were the true Masters.

Arthas approached, standing before Saber, facing the Caster.

"Who are you? Who allowed you to interrupt me?!"

The Caster roared; Arthas said nothing, clenching his fist. With a crack, the creatures shattered.

Saber and the Caster trembled; Arthas's action felt like a blow to their hearts.

The Caster wasn't intimidated; he roared at Arthas.

"Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense!!"

The Caster screamed, clutching his head.

"My prayers! My Grail! To awaken her! She's mine… body, blood, soul!!"

The grimoire glowed; countless creatures reappeared, surrounding Saber and Arthas.

"Be careful; that grimoire is strange; it's his Noble Phantasm,"

Saber warned, noting the oddity of a Berserker possessing a Caster's Noble Phantasm.

"Summon as many… kill as many as needed!"

Ignoring the creatures, frost spread from Arthas's feet, freezing them.

Before the Caster could scream, Arthas leaped forward, his ice spear piercing the human-skin grimoire.

The Caster hung his head; his dead eyes widened in fury.

The grimoire with human skin, bore a gruesome wound, like injured human skin; the wound was freezing.

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