Alvin kept a blank expression the whole time, only his fingers twitching ever so slightly without meaning to.
His pupils were dull, and on the surface he looked completely charmed, but deep down he was quietly sighing to himself.
'Have to say… that's really big.'
'That kind of scale, and that kind of heart, probably only Tiamat can match it.'
'Are all Beasts this… accommodating?'
Noticing that the boy could still resist the "Ultimate Charm" of Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation, a trace of surprise and astonishment quickly flashed through Sessyoin's eyes.
"You actually resisted the charm with magic resistance, and even broke free from it?"
"But even if you did break free, so what… once Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation is activated, not even the White Dragon can't resist it."
Thinking this, the woman let out a soft laugh.
Then suddenly, she saw Alvin, still under the effects of charm, struggling to raise his right hand and form a "three" with his fingers.
Sessyoin froze for a moment, then quickly smiled, "You mean… you can break my Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation in three minutes?"
"You really are confident in yourself, White Dragon-sama—"
"2."
Before she could finish speaking, she saw Alvin softly call out the second number.
Sessyoin blinked blankly, then soon let out an irritated laugh.
"Should I say you're full of confidence in your strength, or that you're underestimating me too much, White Dragon-sama?"
Alvin didn't reply. He simply spoke the final number.
"1."
Sessyoin Kiara looked at the boy with a calm expression, not making any move the entire time.
She wanted to see exactly how he planned to break her "Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation."
Alvin took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"Mom!"
The moment his voice fell, a vast, ocean-like surge of magical energy erupted from within Alvin's body, rising layer by layer, immense and imposing.
Sessyoin's pupils shrank slightly as she stared at Alvin with uncertainty.
Only after a long while did she let out a breath and murmur, "Beast?"
Yes. She could feel it.
Right after Alvin shouted that strange syllable, a presence similar to hers, one that belonged exclusively to Beasts, began to gather inside his body.
Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation could turn anyone in the world who perceived Sessyoin as "beautiful" into her follower… but Beasts were the exception.
However, for nearly dozens of seconds after Alvin called out "Mom," there was no movement at all within the barrier of Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation.
Sessyoin Kiara's body gradually relaxed from its initial tension, and a gentle smile soon appeared on her face.
At that moment, she suddenly noticed that the immense magical power inside Alvin had, at some point, been reduced by half.
A sense of unease rose in her heart, and she subconsciously asked, "What exactly did you do?"
Alvin's gaze was calm, "Look behind you."
Sessyoin frowned, the unease in her heart intensifying.
Then she slowly turned her head to look behind her.
At some unknown point, within the barrier of Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation, a colossal figure that seemed capable of holding up heaven and earth stood silently behind her.
It should be known that Sessyoin, in her Demonic Bodhisattva state, was already enormous in size, yet before this figure, she appeared unbelievably small.
And at this moment, a pair of crimson eyes were quietly staring at her.
———
The night was hazy.
Within the Duke of Cornwall's manor, black sludge exuding an ominous aura had, at some point, begun seeping silently from the ground, gradually filling the area.
Within the black mud, both Alvin and Sessyoin's bodies were quietly swallowed.
The Sea of Life!
Standing outside the black sludge, Tohsaka Rin felt anxious and uneasy, but she didn't dare approach the area at all.
Not long ago, she had witnessed with her own eyes the shocking scene of all the plants in the manor withering under the influence of the black mud.
If she approached rashly now, she would likely meet the same fate.
But Alvin was inside that black sludge right now… what condition was he in?
Thinking of this, Rin couldn't help but look toward the center of the black mud ahead with worry.
Rumble!
Under the night sky, thunder suddenly roared.
The deafening sound left everyone in the manor dizzy, their ears ringing.
Those who had been praying in the hall, immersed in Sessyoin's influence, seemed to snap awake from a dream. One after another, they stood up and walked out of the hall, looking toward the direction of the thunder.
At the same time, in a corner of the royal city of Britain, Sajyou Manaka seemed to sense something and subconsciously looked up toward the sky tens of thousands of meters above.
Soon, a trace of surprise appeared on her face as she murmured softly, "Looks like he's run into a troublesome opponent?"
Ordinary people might not know what was happening at the Duke of Cornwall's manor, but during the previous Holy Grail War, Sajyou Manaka had personally seen how Alvin summoned Tiamat.
And the disturbance at the manor right now was exactly the same as when Alvin had summoned Tiamat back then.
She didn't know what exactly was happening over there, but for Alvin to summon Tiamat… he must have encountered quite a difficult opponent.
———
Within the barrier of Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation, Sessyoin Kiara stared uncertainly at the enormous woman behind her, whose magical power was equally immense.
At the same time, those enchanting red eyes were also quietly gazing at her.
If one looked closely, they would notice that Tiamat's figure was still somewhat illusory, hazy as if it might dissipate at any moment.
Her gaze remained clear from beginning to end, even carrying a trace of confusion, as if she didn't know why she had appeared here.
Compared to Sessyoin, whose nerves were taut as if facing a great enemy, this primordial mother goddess appeared far too relaxed.
As if noticing the boy not far from Sessyoin, Tiamat cast a questioning glance.
"Aaa?"
Alvin froze for a moment, then nodded, "Aaa."
Seeing this, Tiamat quickly opened her small mouth.
"Aaaaaa~"
In the next moment, a melodious song echoed throughout the barrier of Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation.
At first, there were only faint ripples of magical energy in the air.
But as the song grew more resonant, the barrier shook more and more violently. Sessyoin covered her ears tightly, staring in shock at this ancient being born from the dawn of chaos.
The Desire of All in This World… this was Sessyoin's Noble Phantasm. She could use "Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation" to draw people's souls into her body, create billions of spirals of pleasure, and melt those souls for her own use.
Logically speaking, there shouldn't be anyone in this world capable of breaking this Noble Phantasm… at least, Sessyoin had always believed so.
But she never imagined that someone would try to break it with brute force.
'What kind of joke is this?'
Tiamat's song surged with magical power like a tidal wave, causing violent tremors. Even those outside the barrier couldn't stand steadily, swaying as many fell to the ground.
Rin clung tightly to a wall, but her legs still gave out as she collapsed to her knees, her bright eyes filled with shock.
Even many years later, this scene would remain unforgettable.
The mysterious being summoned by Britain's White Dragon, just a single song caused such violent upheaval… what level of monster was this?
Inside the barrier, Sessyoin stared at the nearly shattered Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation, then looked at Tiamat with apprehension.
Soon, a smile reappeared on her face, "You really are full of surprises, White Dragon-sama."
"But thinking you can break Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation just by summoning a familiar… I really have been underestimated."
"Familiar?"
Alvin looked up at Sessyoin Kiara with a smile.
"You can't even recognize a presence similar to your own?"
"And… look above you."
Sessyoin subconsciously raised her head.
Crack!
A crisp sound like glass shattering rang clearly in her ears.
Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation couldn't fully contain the descent of this mysterious woman… and was breaking apart?
Before Sessyoin could understand what was happening, more and more cracks spread across the barrier like a spiderweb, densely packed.
Bang!
Finally, the barrier shattered completely. Countless fragments of magical energy fell from the night sky, refracting brilliant lights.
Outside, Rin's eyes lit up instantly as she looked at the boy with joy.
He actually escaped Sessyoin's Noble Phantasm?
Rin was about to approach, but at that moment, Alvin immediately stopped her, "Don't come over. This black mud doesn't distinguish between friend and foe. It will affect your mind."
The Sea of Life was something that could influence most Heroic Spirits. Whenever Tiamat appeared, the Sea of Life would follow.
Those who could resist its erosion all possessed incredibly strong willpower.
Like Sessyoin and Alvin, who stood upon the Sea of Life at this very moment.
As for Rin… at her age, there was no way she could resist its influence.
Sessyoin stared at the boy ahead, her expression shifting unpredictably. Her snow-white bare feet stepped on the black mud, her body seemingly floating as the sludge lifted her high.
The cold wind blew her clothes backward, outlining her alluring curves.
"The dignified White Dragon of Britain actually relies on another Beast's power… aren't you afraid of embarrassing yourself if word gets out?"
Soon, she narrowed her pale golden eyes, a hint of coldness entering her soft, charming voice.
From the moment that woman Alvin summoned appeared, Sessyoin had already realized her identity.
Without a doubt, there was only one type of existence in this world capable of breaking Ten Thousand Colored Stagnation and being immune to charm, Beast.
However, she didn't know which Beast the other party was… nor why she was helping Alvin.
"What's embarrassing about that? I was born with a weak stomach. The doctor said I should live off soft rice." [T/N: Soft Rice: Reliance on Woman/Lover for sustainance.]
Alvin shrugged, "Besides, even without using any Noble Phantasm, I wouldn't be charmed by you."
Sessyoin sneered, "Don't tell me you think breaking my Noble Phantasm with a little trick means you're already invincible?"
"Isn't that the case?", Alvin asked back.
Sessyoin narrowed her eyes, "You only broke my Noble Phantasm by relying on a Beast's phantom… that kind of trick is useless in the face of true power."
After all, to summon that mysterious Beast's phantom, Alvin had already consumed more than half of his magical power… in his current state, wasn't he just meat on the chopping board?
Thinking this, even more violent magical power surged from Sessyoin's body.
But at that moment, Tiamat suddenly poked her head out from behind Alvin. Stare.
A pair of bright crimson eyes fixed directly on Sessyoin.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.