Chapter 279: The Bad Guy
Crack, crack, crack!
Web-like cracks spread out in all directions as the tall, graceful figure waved her hand, stirring up a powerful gust of wind that instantly swept away all the surrounding dust and debris.
Whether it was the corrosive mist created by Black Assassin Jack the Ripper's Noble Phantasm, or the dust and sand kicked up by the immense force of the impact, everything was forcibly cleared within a ten-meter radius.
Seeing this, Ruler Jeanne couldn't help but twitch slightly.
"That overwhelming muscle power… this goddess, who looks so elegant and doll-like, clearly raised as a rider… how can she be this strong? Ugh, is this what beings from the Age of Gods are like?"
How strong must her true body be, if, even after being downgraded to a Heroic Spirit, she can create this kind of effect with a single step in the Rider class, which isn't even known for its strength?
"Black Rider!"
At the sight of this silver-white figure, Red Archer Atalanta immediately tensed, her entire body bristling like a startled beast.
This demigod-turned-Servant had easily defeated Achilles, and her raw, brutal power reminded Atalanta of Heracles, the mighty demigod she once knew as a fellow Argonaut.
The priest, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, had judged correctly. Black Rider had indeed been hiding in the shadows all along. And now, was that Black Assassin's Master she had in her hand?
Should she retreat?
Atalanta questioned herself. Despite being somewhat prepared for this situation, knowing that one wrong move could lead to her defeat, she felt a deep reluctance.
That girl was right there, just in front of her. Atalanta couldn't bring herself to flee, tail between her legs. She desperately wanted to save that child!
If she didn't act, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
With a swift motion, she drew her bowstring taut, readying herself to create distance. Though reason told her that retreat was the best course of action, her emotions drove her. Her gaze shifted to the silver-haired girl frozen on the rooftop.
Thud.
"Jeanne, this woman is Assassin Jack the Ripper's Master. She has no magical circuits at all. If it weren't for the magical energy she released when using her Command Seals, I wouldn't have found her so quickly."
With a casual toss, Selene threw the woman, named Reika Rikudou, to the ground in front of Jeanne.
"Ouch… Why didn't the Command Seals work?!"
Her exposed skin scraped against the rough ground, and Reika Rikudou let out a soft cry of pain as she curled up. Despite the grotesque corruption of her arm, eaten away by violet-red magical energy, her appearance was that of a mature, alluring Eastern woman, seductive like a ripe peach.
She had a shapely figure, wearing a low-cut green dress, with long brown-green hair, a delicate face, an exposed collarbone, and a full chest. The glimpse of her thighs and her legs wrapped in black knee-high boots made her a figure of undeniable temptation.
Yet, for all her allure, there was no reaction from the people present—none of them were men, nor did any of them qualify as fully human anymore. They had all been through too much to be moved by such things. Except for…
"Mommy!"
Jack suddenly leaped from the rooftop, rushing to Reika Rikudou's side. She clung to her, looking up at her with tear-filled eyes, sniffling and calling, "Mommy… Mommy…"
Selene, expressionless, was about to step forward when she felt a tug on her armor's skirt. Turning her head, she saw Jeanne shaking her head with a pleading look.
"Your Majesty, please… let them have one last moment together. They are pitiable, pitiful… and hateful people," Jeanne said softly, her voice carrying over their shared magical link.
"… Fine." After a brief pause, Selene nodded, agreeing to Jeanne's request.
And so, under the eyes of three separate parties, an unusual scene unfolded.
Selene and Jeanne stood a short distance away, watching coldly. Atalanta, unsure whether to advance or retreat, remained frozen on the rooftop, while at the center, there was a display of deep "mother-daughter" affection.
"Little Jack, I'm sorry… Mommy was useless, unable to help you at all…"
With difficulty, Reika Rikudou opened her eyes and spoke in a voice filled with warmth and self-blame. She gently stroked Jack's head and patted her tiny back.
"Mommy… you're hurt," Jack whimpered, her green eyes glistening with tears.
"It's nothing… But Little Jack, Mommy may not be able to stay with you much longer… cough cough…" Reika Rikudou's condition visibly worsened with each breath.
"No! Mommy, don't say that. Jack will take you away from here."
Saying this, Jack tried to stand and lift Reika Rikudou's immobile body. But due to the difference in their sizes, her efforts were awkward and ineffective. In her panic, she only made things worse, causing Reika Rikudou to cough up blood.
"No! Mommy, what's wrong?! Mommy…"
Seeing her mother's condition deteriorate, Jack was truly frightened for the first time. Even when her own life was in danger, she hadn't been this panicked.
Desperate, Jack even tried channeling her own magical energy into her mother, a move born of sheer desperation.
"It's no use. She's already at death's door. She's just a regular human without any magical circuits. Under the influence of my energy, she doesn't stand a chance," Selene said coldly.
When Selene had located Reika Rikudou, the woman had been using her Command Seals. Without hesitation, Selene had assumed the worst-case scenario.
To prevent any unforeseen problems, she had injected a small amount of her magical energy—simulated with properties akin to [Honkai Energy]—into Reika Rikudou's right hand, cutting off her connection to her Servant and damaging the Command Seals.
However, even this tiny dose of magic, which possessed highly corrosive and destructive properties, was fatal to a normal human without magical circuits or resistance.
In just a few breaths, the violet-red energy had spread from her hand to half of her arm. And with Reika Rikudou's physical condition, she wouldn't live long enough for it to reach her heart or brain.
"How… how could this happen…" Jack muttered, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at the rapidly spreading magical corruption on her mother's arm. She collapsed to her knees.
"It's okay…" Now on the verge of death, Reika Rikudou used the last of her strength to lift her trembling hand and gently caress Jack's cheek.
"It's like a dream… These moments with you, Little Jack… have been the happiest of my life… I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you…" With these final words, Reika Rikudou's hand fell lifelessly to the ground.
"That's enough. Goodbye time is over," Selene said as her eyes tracked the complete disappearance of Reika Rikudou's life force. Then—buzz—!
Her right hand extended in a claw-like shape, violet-red magical energy surged from it as she began walking towards the sobbing Jack, who was still clutching her mother's body.
Given all the murders Jack had committed, especially her slaughter of countless innocent civilians not involved in the Holy Grail War, the Black faction had already resolved to eliminate her. Jeanne, too, had approved this decision.
No matter how tragic Jack's past or circumstances, to most participants in this Romanian Holy Grail War, her fate was sealed with death.
Jeanne stepped forward from behind Selene, her face full of sorrow as she looked at the scene. "Jack the Ripper… Such a small child, becoming a Heroic Spirit under such a cruel name."
"Wait!"
Atalanta landed in front of Selene, spreading her arms wide and shouting, "Black Rider, Your Divine Majesty, aren't you a goddess? Show mercy…"
"I, Atalanta, beg you… Don't kill her. Even if it means imprisoning her until the Holy Grail War ends, that's fine. Just please, spare her."
Atalanta's voice was hurried and emotional, her plea heartfelt.
"Oh? You want to save her? But she doesn't seem to appreciate your help," Selene replied, her tone amused as she glanced over Atalanta's shoulder.
"What?!"
Crack!
Though her body was still lying over Reika Rikudou, Jack's small head twisted unnaturally to a full ninety degrees, her eyes glowing blood-red with hatred as she stared at Selene.
"Why… why?"
"Why? To eliminate a traitor, that's all…"
Selene's crimson eyes glowed even brighter as she answered, her voice cold enough to freeze bone.
"Traitor… Ah—!"
At that moment, all hope drained from Jack's eyes, leaving only despair and devastation in her expression.
Boom!
Suddenly, Jack's small body exploded, unleashing a dense fog that quickly spread from her center, enveloping the entire square and shrouding Selene, Jeanne, and Atalanta.
In the blink of an eye, the world before Selene's eyes transformed.
She now stood at the intersection of narrow alleys, the air thick with acrid mist. The oppressive smog distorted her senses, and Jeanne and Atalanta's presences had vanished from her awareness.
"The real world is still here, but within this Reality Marble, they must be close by… but here…"
The wind rustled discarded newspapers, and dilapidated buildings stood decaying on every side. The oppressive, industrial smog blanketed everything, covering the streets and buildings in shades of gray and black.
Visibility was poor. Though streetlamps burned, their light barely pierced the haze, the fog swallowing any attempt at illumination.
"The smog of industrial London… a city that truly invokes disgust," Selene muttered as she extended her hand, watching as gray-white 'snowflakes' fell onto her palm.
Breathing the air felt like inhaling acid—an intense, choking mix of industrial chemicals and pollutants. Even though it didn't affect her, it was still unpleasant.
"Rider, why won't you leave us and Mommy alone?! Why do you have to interfere with us… We just want to be together. You're the bad guy!" Jack's voice rang out, accusing Selene from the fog.
"The bad guy, huh?"
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