Fate: How About a New Savior?

Targeting the only weak point in the red spear's support from the flank, the Jaguar Warrior unleashed such overwhelming force that Shiomi nearly lost his grip. He barely managed to keep hold of the red spear.

"What strength..." Shiomi gritted his teeth.

This was his first time facing a true Divine Spirit-class Servant.

Unlike Artoria during her divine manifestation, the Jaguar Warrior undeniably possessed the might of a chief deity. The divinity attached to her likely stemmed from one of the famed aspects of the Smoking Mirror god in Aztec mythology.

But even as a main god, a Divine Spirit wasn't invincible.

And more importantly—they weren't alone in this fight.

The Jaguar Warrior launched a chain of flying kicks, ending with a powerful spinning roundhouse. Shiomi seized the moment, flipping his spear to catch the crook of her leg and forced her sideways to interrupt her flow.

A sharp chill shot up the back of the Jaguar Warrior's neck. She twisted her body, catching Shiomi's red spear between her legs, then spun around to counter the other red spear approaching from behind.

"...Definitely not someone to be underestimated."

Even while being attacked from three angles, the Jaguar Warrior showed no signs of being overwhelmed.

"You've got this annoying vibe to you. Are you a God-Slayer?" she said with a toothy grin, as if everything up to now had been nothing but warm-up.

Naturally, the same could be said for the other three—they hadn't gone all out yet either.

Taking down the Jaguar Warrior in a one-on-one fight—whether by killing or subduing her—was close to impossible.

She possessed a Personal Skill called "Jaguar's Blessing," a divine boon granted by the jaguar god. With it, she felt no fear even under the pressure of a three-pronged assault.

Nor did the pain of battle dull her reactions.

In essence, it was a skill combining traits like valor and heightened instincts—an unreasonable ability that embodied the absurdity of a Divine Spirit-class Servant.

Even more unreasonable was her ability to go toe-to-toe with all three of them at once.

With only her legs, she immobilized Shiomi's red spear. With one hand, she caught Scáthach's red spear. And with her own weapon, she parried the blade swung by Artoria.

It was the result of yet another of her Personal Skills—Monstrous Strength.

"Don't forget, there's still one more."

Above the ongoing clash, Morgan had finished her Magecraft, targeting the Jaguar Warrior from above.

Shiomi released his spear, and the trio simultaneously scattered in different directions. The spell detonated, centered on the Jaguar Warrior.

But it didn't land.

There was no impact—no telltale sensation of a spell hitting its mark. Even under direct threat, the Jaguar Warrior had moved fast enough to evade.

Something was off—she was far too strong.

Morgan silently deduced that this forest-swallowed city must be granting the Jaguar Warrior overwhelming environmental advantage. Her base stats were all likely enhanced, and her ability to adapt to adverse conditions significantly boosted.

To neutralize that territorial advantage, they'd need to invoke a Reality Marble.

But the moment one activated, the Jaguar Warrior would likely retreat instantly—her speed more than enough to escape the boundary before being caught.

"Get back, Master!"

At the very moment of the explosion, Artoria shouted a warning to Shiomi.

"Jaguar Warrior—flying kick—!"

A Mana-charged kick came sweeping toward Shiomi.

"Tch—"

This time, Shiomi raised his spear to block it. The second red spear caught the Jaguar Warrior's kick.

"Why... are you doing all this? Imprisoning the people of Ur in this forest, letting them wait quietly for death—is that really the will of a god?!"

Even while blocking, the force of the kick sent Shiomi sliding back several steps.

"Some people strive. Some don't. No matter the era, that never changes."

The Jaguar Warrior flipped backward, avoiding Artoria's midsection-cleaving strike. As she landed gracefully, she spoke in a composed voice.

"It's that push and pull that lets human society thrive for generations. I can tell you're the type who work hard without complaint—but if you go so far that you start denying those who don't, then Big Sis thinks that's a pretty sad way to live."

The group hesitated. No one attacked. None of them had expected that this seemingly wild, irrational Divine Spirit could speak so humanely.

Was that her own belief as a Divine Spirit? Or the worldview of the human she'd possessed?

Maybe… there was still a chance to talk.

"That does sound reasonable. But I don't believe a whole city would just give up and accept their fate."

Shiomi reached out, and the red spear he'd released earlier flew back into his grasp. Its tip slowly turned toward the Jaguar Warrior.

"Well said, my husband." Morgan lifted her hand as well, mana gathering in her palm. "Forcing others to surrender to apathy—those people have no right to call us pitiful."

"Jaguar Warrior—strike!"

Sensing Morgan's spell resonating with the space in front of her chest, the Jaguar Warrior vanished just as the spell detonated, lunging straight toward Morgan.

"Hyaaah!"

Artoria surged forward on a wave of mana, intercepting the Jaguar Warrior mid-charge.

"Stay out of it," Morgan muttered with a frown.

"Sister or Master's wife—doesn't matter. We're allies now. Of course I'll have your back."

Artoria glanced at the smoke rising from her armor.

That hit had been fierce. If she hadn't met it with force, she'd have taken serious damage.

"You're a feisty bunch, but good kids—meow," the Jaguar Warrior said brightly. "Even though you all seem older than Big Sis! Kuku must be watching too. I bet she's thrilled!"

Her tone danced between provocation and compassion, logic and nonsense—leaving it impossible to tell which way she truly leaned.

Shiomi slowly searched for his next opening.

But the biggest problem wasn't winning—it was what they'd lose to beat her.

The "Kuku" she mentioned was almost certainly Kukulkan, the Feathered Serpent from Mayan lore—known as Quetzalcoatl in Aztec myth.

A chief deity, on par with the Smoking Mirror God.

And unlike the Jaguar Warrior, who was likely a spiritual possession, Kukulkan was probably here in person.

Defeating the Jaguar Warrior would likely summon the goddess of the jungle herself.

So far, they were evenly matched—but if she unleashed her Noble Phantasm...

Suddenly, Romani's urgent voice came through the communicator:

"Sorry to interrupt mid-battle! The northern wall of Uruk is under massive attack!"

"What? Have the Magical Beasts increased?!"

"No—it's Demon Pillars! Solomon's Demon Pillars have appeared at the northern wall! Twelve have been confirmed!" Romani reported urgently. "The Director and the others are struggling to hold them off! Please retreat and assist immediately!"

Shiomi gritted his teeth and charged, red spear thrusting toward the Jaguar Warrior. Together with the spells cast by Morgan and Scáthach, the square erupted in flames.

From atop the temple where she'd leapt to safety, the Jaguar Warrior heard only the cawing of crows.

The square, scarred by battle, was now empty. The four of them were gone.

"Instant teleportation, meow-hahaha!"

She burst into laughter—but no one could say what, exactly, she found so funny.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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