Chapter 73: Demonic Pillar
The blood-red pillar of flesh loomed high into the sky, its sudden appearance throwing the entire livestream chat into chaos.
[New viewer here. Can someone tell me if this is Mr. Cthulhu's stream?]
[First, we had giant tentacles, and now this? What is it this time? An Outer God?]
[Umu, I completely understand now!]
[My friend, there's no way you understand this...]
[I just heated up a plate of squid rings, but now I've lost my appetite...]
[Did that thing just say it's Andromalius, one of the 72 Demonic Pillars of Solomon?]
[Andromalius is the 67th Demon God in Solomon's 72 Demonic Pillars, ranked as a Duke, commanding 29 legions. According to legend, he can produce the sound of any instrument at the summoner's will or bend trees at his command.]
[I see. This is all Solomon's fault! Solomon, come out and take responsibility!!!]
[Thanks, Wiki-san, but this form... doesn't look like a Demon God at all...]
[Umu, I imagined Demon Gods to be more badass. This thing just looks like a massive scabby dick.]
[My friend, I was terrified, but now I feel oddly calm, thanks to you.]
—
Ethan and the others stared at the colossal monstrosity before them. The sheer pressure emanating from it was even more overwhelming than the sea demon they had faced before.
The Holy Grail had been absorbed into its body. If they wanted to repair this Singularity, they had only one choice—fight!
"I am the Demonic Pillar of Music, Andromalius! Perish, humans!"
As soon as it declared war, the countless eyes covering its blood-red flesh flashed, unleashing an immense surge of mana.
"Everyone, be careful!!!"
Mash immediately raised her shield in front of her.
A crimson beam burst forth from the Demonic Pillar's massive eyes, streaking toward them like a raging storm!
BANG————————!!!
Mash blocked the devastating attack with her shield.
"Ugh..."
She gritted her teeth, gripping the shield tightly as she endured the tremendous force behind the blast.
The shockwave from the impact caused the ground to crack open around them.
"Its attack range is this far?!"
Johanna, who had also set up a defensive barrier, was shocked by the sheer power of the attack.
"So this is the strength of a Demonic Pillar...?"
Before anyone could recover, Jeanne Alter raised her wicked flag and charged forward.
"How dare you set foot on this land without my permission and try to destroy it?! Not on my watch!!!"
"Wait!!!"
Ethan called out to stop her, but Jeanne Alter had already rushed in.
With her personality, there was no way she would listen.
Seeing the massive Demonic Pillar, Mordred's lips curled into an excited grin.
"Now this is interesting!"
She hoisted Clarent onto her shoulder and dashed straight at the monster.
"Master, leave this bastard to me!!!"
"Mordred-san!"
Martha tried to stop her, but it was too late.
"She just used up so much mana, and she's still charging in..."
"Johanna, team up with Martha! Support Mordred and Jeanne Alter!"
Ethan quickly issued his orders.
"Understood!"
"Seriously, does no one here worry about their own safety? Are they all just reckless children?"
Martha sighed, exasperated.
"Let's go, Tarasque!"
"Huuu..."
Tarasque let out a grumbling noise, clearly dissatisfied.
After all, it had just carried everyone across a long distance. Even a dragon-turtle could get tired!
"Come on, Tarasque, just a little more effort."
Martha lightly tapped the armored back of her giant dragon-turtle companion.
"After this battle, you can rest."
"Huuu..."
Although still a bit reluctant, Tarasque obeyed Martha and moved forward.
—
'System, what's my current points?'
[Ding ding ding— Retrieving data... Retrieval successful!]
[Current livestream points: 114,000.]
[You can now spend 100,000 points to use one Command Spell, enhancing a Servant's Saint Graph and unlocking their second Noble Phantasm.]
Enhancing a Saint Graph, huh...
Ethan pondered for a moment.
This ability should be saved for a critical moment.
—
"Mash, we're going in too!"
"But Senpai, this is a Demonic Pillar—an entity we know nothing about. I think we should wait for Doctor's analysis before taking action."
Mash made a valid point.
A suddenly appearing monster claiming to be a Demonic Pillar made her feel uneasy.
But for Ethan, this wasn't the first time he'd encountered these things. If not for their annoying HP-lock mechanics, he would have personally sent them straight to hell by now.
"It'll be fine."
Ethan reassured her.
"Besides, even from this distance, it can still attack us. If they fail, the Singularity will remain broken. That's why I have to go—no matter what!"
And if things got really bad, he still had the option to enhance a Saint Graph—that could turn the tide.
Hearing this, Mash understood immediately.
"I understand! I will protect you, Senpai!"
—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM————————!!!
A series of explosions erupted around Demonic Pillar, preventing the Servants from getting close.
"Haa!!"
Mordred swung Clarent, her razor-sharp slash carving a deep wound into the Demonic Pillar's flesh.
Thick, blood-red liquid oozed out like juice from an overripe fruit.
Immediately, the gigantic eyes above shifted, locking their gaze onto the group.
BOOM————————!!
The spot where Mordred had just been standing exploded, leaving behind a massive crater. However, she had already dodged away, avoiding the attack.
"For a so-called 'Demonic Pillar,' you're not that scary."
—
"Lord, cleanse this land of evil!"
Johanna raised her silver staff high, sending a crescent moon of holy light streaking toward one of the Demonic Pillar's massive eyes!
"Chíu chíu————————!!"
A white owl spread its wings, radiating pure light, searing the Demonic Pillar's flesh!
"Hallelujah!!!"
Meanwhile, Martha nimbly dodged the Pillar's counterattacks, landing a mighty punch against its massive body!
The lower section of its body seemed more resilient, but cracks began to form like shattered glass where her fists struck.
"Tarasque!!"
Upon her command, Tarasque unleashed a stream of blazing fire, then swiftly moved to reposition Martha for another attack.
—
Vút vút vút————————!!
Countless jet-black spears materialized from thin air, impaling the Demonic Pillar, even piercing through its massive eyes!
"You dare destroy Gilles without my permission?!"
Jeanne Alter's rage had completely ignited.
"Don't fuck with me!!!"
The black spears erupted into flames, engulfing the Demonic Pillar in violent explosions!
BOOM————————————!!
—
"Enough!!! You foolish Servants!!!"
All of the Demonic Pillar's eyes snapped wide open at once, waves of dark mana rippling outward.
"Sink into eternal slumber! This is the Requiem of Hell!!!"