They stood in opposition, their words formal on the surface, yet every sentence carried naked personal barbs.
"If you want to win with words, now's your chance, Beast." Shiomi lifted his chin slightly. "This Slaughter Domain. These things. Did you make them on purpose to mock humanity?"
"What, you're dissatisfied with the combat beasts I created?" Koyanskaya feigned surprise.
"They walk upright like humans. They slaughter with firearms like humans. More importantly, they're obsessed with killing like humans." Scáthach frowned deeply, her displeasure obvious. "The Laḫmu of Uruk felt somewhat similar. But at least those creatures possessed the basic intellect to 'follow Mother's commands.'"
These combat beasts did not even have that.
"What is it? Feeling uncomfortable because, as humans, you don't like seeing your own kind exposed for what they truly are?" Koyanskaya remained utterly unconcerned. "Creating weapons to slaughter their own species. Using those weapons against their own kind. From the moment they were born to the day they established themselves as the planet's primates, that cruelty has never vanished."
"…What are you trying to say?" Shiomi realized she had not come here merely to fight.
"Nothing in particular. It's just that there happens to be a god here who insists on acting from a human standpoint, so I thought I'd come have a chat." Koyanskaya's expression turned languid. "At the moment, I'm more interested in hearing your thoughts than in devouring you."
"Your thoughts? You created these combat beasts to kill humans. Isn't that the whole point?" Shiomi cut straight to the core.
"Correct. But unfortunately, none of you standing here can be considered pure humans." Koyanskaya exaggeratedly pointed at each of them in turn. "A god. A goddess. A fairy. And an existence neither alive nor dead, beyond the definition of humanity."
Under normal circumstances, the moment humans set foot here, the combat beasts would sense their presence, instinctively converge, and carry out the slaughter.
It had to be humans. Even Heroic Spirits who had once been human would not register as targets.
But Shiomi and the others, who had pushed deep into the Slaughter Domain and continued advancing toward its core, no longer qualified as prey.
"So that's why you showed up yourself?" Shiomi's Star Eyes flared as his gaze swept over Koyanskaya. Then he shook his head lightly. "No, not quite yourself. You never intended to fight us here."
"Of course not. If it's battle, they're more than sufficient." Koyanskaya smiled faintly. "They aren't directly linked to me. But if I issue a command, they'll swarm any enemy and tear them apart."
"Then try it." Shiomi raised a hand. "Do you really think these things can stop us?"
A bloodthirsty gleam surfaced in Koyanskaya's eyes. "You're really giving it your all. You've already stepped beyond humanity, yet you still intend to fight for a species that cannot free itself from its own brutality? Solving one problem after another for their sake?"
Morgan let out a derisive laugh. "That attempt at provocation is far too crude, Koyanskaya."
"Provocation? If stating facts counts as that, then call it whatever you like." Koyanskaya's tone remained indifferent. "I assume you already know where the Bleaching of Earth originated. And you've probably uncovered the true identity of the Alien God as well."
"And?" Shiomi prepared himself to erase her.
Unfortunately, what stood before them was not her true body.
Just like in Olympus, it was merely a terminal capable of exercising a portion of the Beast's authority.
Koyanskaya, fully aware of how dangerous Shiomi and the others were, had already resolved to fortify her true body. No matter what happened to this terminal, it would not feed back to her core.
"To solve one crisis, you create another. To ensure your own survival, you seize the right of survival from every other form of life. As the planet's primates, you claim the authority to strip away the lives of other beings, even your own kind." Koyanskaya's lips curled in ridicule. "Tell me, humans who cannot abandon that animal instinct… in the end, aren't you just beasts that learned to walk upright?"
"So you chose to assist the Alien God's plan," Shiomi raised a brow, "to eliminate humanity and bleach away the Human Order engraved upon this planet? In your eyes, humans are no different from animals, so you intend to strip them of their primate status."
"Of course. This planet has no need for humans. Nor for primates," Koyanskaya replied flatly.
Shiomi shook his head. "When you spout that kind of nonsense and attempt to dictate humanity's fate, you're lowering yourself to the same level as the humans you claim to despise."
"Resorting to wordplay now? Then there's no point continuing."
Koyanskaya lifted her hand.
During their exchange, the battle beasts had already surrounded them.
Morgan and the others noticed at once and readied themselves for combat.
"But do not forget," Koyanskaya said calmly, "even a tiny insect has a will to live. As a Beast, even when facing a god, I will not yield to a few empty words."
"So you won't reveal your true form here?" Shiomi feigned mild surprise. "Afraid that hazy silhouette of yours won't accomplish much, and would only waste power?"
"That has nothing to do with you," Koyanskaya replied. "I will be waiting at NFF headquarters. Until then, let the battle beasts… and an old friend… keep you entertained."
Before the beasts could act, a vast surge of Mana swept toward them.
A black sun rose high above the Slaughter Domain, and the wasteland began to warp under its presence.
"Surtr's recreated body?" Shiomi glanced upward. "You think something like that can—"
"She's already gone," Morgan said lightly.
A barrier had already unfolded around them, deflecting the hail of bullets fired by the battle beasts.
"Running away is her specialty. That's the charm of Independent Manifestation, I suppose," Shiomi said with a small shrug. "Still, since she claims she'll be waiting at headquarters, there's no need to waste time here."
"Then we cut straight through." Scáthach hurled her crimson spear into the center of the horde, triggering a violent explosion that tore through the beasts. "Speed wins wars. No reason to linger."
Artoria nodded and raised the Holy Lance. "I'll clear a path. Morgan and Scáthach, buy Tenkei time to sever the ley lines."
Crouching down, Shiomi pressed his palm against the earth and gave a small nod.
"It's time to bring this journey to its conclusion."