"I don't like that phrase," Kurumi muttered as the spirit power surged within her. Her boots skimmed the water's surface as she sped towards Saber.
And thus, the scene that everyone witnessed unfolded.
Saber held her sword and called out sternly, "Witch!"
A glimmer of alertness flashed in her emerald green eyes. At this moment, the witch before her exuded no killing intent, not even a hint of hostility.
However, Saber did not let her guard down even though the witch seemed... somewhat off.
"Saber, I'll handle the sea monster. You can leave now."
The emerald eyes fixed on Kurumi. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"I am obvious."
The black hem of her dress turned white, the pure colour steadily creeping upwards. As the two colours mingled, a unique grey gradient formed.
Half of her face, hidden under long, slanted bangs, had her wine-red eyes gradually replaced by pale gold.
The pressure on Saber increased. Even though she could unleash her anti-fortress, Noble Phantasm, her heart couldn't help but beat faster at any moment.
This was highly unusual for a knight whose skills were exceptionally honed.
Her left foot, encased in steel, involuntarily stepped back, causing ripples in the blood-coloured water.
"Witch! Stop joking! Do you know how many lives will be lost if the sea monster reaches the shore?"
At this moment, Kurumi was fully immersed in the power of the divine seed, her mindset gradually shifting to that of a deity.
She gazed towards the riverbank. "Saber, I don't want to see any innocent lives lost. Can you ensure that?"
A sense of absurdity surged within Artoria. When did a witch, known for her cruelty, start showing compassion like a saint?
"Saber! The rider is struggling!"
Diarmuid's shout came from the shore. Saber gritted her teeth. "Step aside, witch! I promise no harm will come to any innocent lives!"
"Step—"
Kurumi took a step forward, and her divine aura surged to an unimaginable level.
"Saber, I have no patience for this. If you don't step aside, I will return you and Caster to the Throne of Heroes together!"
"Oh, by the way. Caster has offended Alaya, so you may never see him again."
In Saber's eyes, Kurumi appeared, now clad in a pure white dress with pale gold eyes and hair tainted by some divine power.
A chill ran down her spine. The "witch" now seemed utterly devoid of humanity.
"Who are you, and what is your goal?"
The pale gold eyes showed no emotion. "To deal with the evil here."
A bitter smile appeared on Saber's lips. "So... are you a goddess?"
For the first time, a ripple appeared in the pale gold eyes. "No."
"Then..."
"Boom!"
Rider's "Ionian Hetairoi" reached its limit, releasing the massive sea monster. Blood from the river surged outwards, filling the air with a stench.
Diarmuid retreated with Irisviel, barely avoiding the bloody onslaught.
Rider rode his chariot in the sky, glancing at the water's centre. He felt an ominous sense of foreboding.
"Saber!"
Looking up, Saber could only nod in acknowledgement to Rider.
She turned her sword, ready to dispel the Wind King's Barrier.
"I said I would handle this evil. Didn't you hear?"
As Saber was about to raise Excalibur, she felt a tremendous force envelop her!
It was irresistible unless she unleashed her Noble Phantasm.
The force was like waves crashing over her but without any pressure.
Saber's face changed slightly. She lowered Excalibur and followed the force to the shore.
"Saber!" Diarmuid frowned, running over to ask what everyone wanted to know: "What's going on? Is that the witch?"
A bitter taste lingered in Saber's mouth as she spoke, "She is the divine spirit the church warned us about."
This confirmation spread among the others as well. Rider and Gilgamesh stood on the bridge where Kurumi had been.
Rider looked at Gilgamesh with a strange expression.
"Speak your mind, mongrel! I grant you the right to counsel me!"
Rider chuckled, not minding at all. His gaze locked on Kurumi, now exuding holy energy at the river's centre.
"We should have guessed that the mysterious spirit was the witch. But how should we describe her? Saint? Goddess?"
He turned to Gilgamesh. "So, King of Heroes, what do you think?"
"Hmph!" Gilgamesh's eyes flashed with disdain. "A lapdog of the gods!"
"Your perspective is too narrow."
Gilgamesh raised his head arrogantly. "Even if she's a goddess, I've honoured her with the title of concubine. That's a significant elevation for her!"
"Are you confident you can subdue her?"
"Heh!" Gilgamesh's eyes reflected the divine Kurumi, a strange smile tugging at his lips. "I'm only considering how to discipline her."
...
Kurumi did not know about the conversation between Rider and Gilgamesh. Even if she knew, it wouldn't cause her any concern.
Perhaps because the divine seed had been dormant for so long, it now erupted in full force!
In her divine state, she remained calm, unaffected by external distractions.
Taking a step forward, there was no surge of aura, only golden stripes emanating from her feet.
The golden stripes purified the blood in the water. When they touched the dismembered limbs, they evaporated into black mist.
The sea monster went berserk, sensing its natural enemy's presence. Even Caster within it became frenzied.
"Lapdog of the gods! Behold this repulsive divinity! See clearly, this gentle divinity leads to death in ignorance!"
"It is useless! It deceives humanity! If filth can draw divine attention, then even in darkness, I will taint it!"
Caster's bulging eyes were bloodshot, his body emanating dark magic. The sea monster's tentacles thrashed wildly, churning the river and exposing the sand beneath.
Kurumi took another step forward, her dress transforming into divine armour.
Still, pure white, adorned with pale gold patterns, her exposed skin evoked no desire.
She embodied sacredness. Ordinary beings instinctively worshiped her, while the extraordinary subconsciously resisted the divine suggestion.
"Ahhh! Yes, that's it! I can't help it! I want to drag you into the filthiest mire! I want you to experience all the world's evil! Jeanne, watch! I'll make her suffer your pain!"