Powerful, insane, furious.
These were the deepest impressions the Flame-Chaser named Kalpas left on the audience outside the light curtain.
Although the Holy Grail consciousness was acting quite humiliatingly, it was still All the World's Evil, an amalgamation of all the malicious thoughts of the human race. In terms of raw power alone, it shouldn't be weaker than a top-tier Servant.
Yet, facing over a dozen Flame-Chasers, it couldn't even defeat one of them, let alone the mysterious "Strongest Flame-Chaser."
That greatsword burning with raging fire in his hand—no matter how you looked at it, it didn't seem like an ordinary weapon.
[Light Curtain Barrage]
[Yukinoshita Yukino]: "It seems we won't see the other Flame-Chasers take action. The Holy Grail consciousness is about to die. That Flame-Chaser named Kalpas is too ruthless; he's completely aiming to beat the opponent to death."
[Conan Edogawa]: "His temper is really huge... He looks like a 'reckless brute' type of character. Are there people like this among the Flame-Chasers too?"
[Waver Velvet]: "Ah... If he were to become a Heroic Spirit, his compatibility with the Berserker class would likely be exceptionally high. equally mad and irrational."
Kalpas's strength was unquestionable, but his frenzied fighting style chilled many to the bone. This didn't look like the behavior of a righteous faction; such rage could easily be exploited by enemies...
This was the view of the majority of people in the light curtain audience. After all, they didn't know Kalpas and could only guess his personality from the less than three minutes of combat they had seen.
[Sakura]: "That is not the case. Kalpas may appear irritable and insane, but he is absolutely not a brute. He is a man who utilizes battle wisdom to the limit..."
As the speculation in the light curtain deviated further and further from the real Kalpas, Sakura, as one of Kalpas's few friends and comrades in the Fire Moth, stepped up to prove his worth.
She wasn't wrong. Kalpas was just a bit maverick. If he were truly a brainless brute, how could he have survived until the arrival of the Finality?
In response to this, Kalpas merely let out a cold snort: "There's no need to care about their opinions, Sakura. I'm just crazy, not stupid. If anyone really thinks I'm a brute, they are welcome to come and try me."
With the person in question speaking up, the chaotic barrage quieted down significantly. After all, everyone had seen Kalpas's strength and personality. Even if they weren't from the same world, it was better not to provoke him if possible. Moreover, his friend Elysia was the heroine favored by the image.
However, his words just now were quite normal. Was it because he was responding to Sakura that the rage usually hidden in his words became quite friendly?
It seemed the relationships among the Flame-Chasers... were quite complex in their own way...
---o---
[Light Curtain Image]
Kalpas carried no weapons, used no other forms, and didn't even use excessive Honkai energy. Relying solely on his fists and the surrounding flames, he beat the Holy Grail consciousness until it couldn't tell north from south.
Although the Holy Grail consciousness was indeed nothing good, the face it had transformed into was still Elysia's. If nothing else, the audience outside the light curtain didn't have the confidence to strike a killing blow against that face.
Even knowing clearly that it wasn't the real Elysia, it was difficult. Yet Kalpas, as Elysia's friend, was able to completely ignore the influence. It was unclear if this was because his relationship with Elysia was usually bad, or because he hated evil so much that he only cared about the essence and not the appearance.
However, although Kalpas's attacks were smooth and fluent, defeating the Holy Grail consciousness with almost crushing force... the surrounding Flame-Chasers did not lower their guard. Instead, they looked at the Holy Grail consciousness with solemn faces.
This vigilance seemed a bit excessive. Facing an opponent who was being crushed, yet remaining so wary—and with so many people being wary at the same time—there had to be a reason.
It was very likely related to the term "Herrscher," because earlier, the Flame-Chasers had identified the Holy Grail consciousness as a Herrscher.
Herrschers were enemies of civilization; everyone knew this point. Although there were exceptions like Elysia, the vast majority of Herrschers were enemies of civilization and humanity.
But... even so, was it necessary to maintain such high vigilance against a Herrscher? This was no longer just vigilance; contained within it... was there actually a hint of fear?
It was unimaginable... With the combat power of the Flame-Chasers, soloing a Holy Grail War featuring only Servants wouldn't be much of a problem. Yet now, they felt fear toward the disaster known as a "Herrscher"?
Even though Elysia appeared so perfect and flawless, just how powerful and cruel must her "kind" be to make a group of Flame-Chasers so wary?
The audience outside the image had no way of knowing this and could only silently watch the plot unfold.
At this moment, the camera shifted from Kalpas to the person most viewers were concerned about.
White short hair, holding a flaming red greatsword, a cold and mysterious face. The strongest warrior among the Thirteen Flame-Chasers—Kevin!
At this time, Kevin was silently monitoring the situation on the battlefield, and it seemed as if he were conversing with someone. He would nod occasionally or give a reply.
As the camera zoomed in, everyone finally heard the voice inside Kevin's consciousness.
"Kevin, Mobius has confirmed it dozens of times. There is indeed not a trace of Honkai energy on its body, let alone it being a Herrscher."
It was a man's voice, sounding gentle and kind. Just the sound gave everyone a feeling of being "healed."
Facing his best friend's statement, Kevin said: "I know, Su. But we cannot underestimate any enemy."
Kevin's eyes revealed a hint of sadness. Perhaps because he thought of something, he was this sensitive.
The man named Su sighed and responded: "However, continuing to stall like this isn't a solution. Mobius needs to dissect it for experiments. Perhaps we can obtain information about Elysia."
Perhaps because he heard Elysia's name, Kevin's sorrowful pupils returned to indifference. Facing the Holy Grail consciousness that was gradually being beaten to death by Kalpas, he made a decision.
Snap—
A cold, clear sound reached the ears of the Holy Grail consciousness. To it, this sound was simply the voice of an angel; its entire life as a cup seemed to be reborn.
Kevin had appeared behind Kalpas at some point, gripping Kalpas's wrist with one hand. Then, he spoke in a cold voice:
"Kalpas, enough. We need to obtain intelligence about Elysia from its body."
One hand holding Kalpas's wrist, the other holding the greatsword, Kevin's voice was somewhat icy. To be honest, killing the Holy Grail consciousness right now was the best choice, but he couldn't give up on Elysia.
Kalpas did not respond. He simply struggled, trying to pull his wrist back, but he was tightly held by Kevin. His powerful strength seemed like a docile sheep in front of Kevin.
Kevin knew Kalpas's personality, which was why he used this method to stop him. If he only used words, Kalpas wouldn't listen. It had always been this way.
"Hmph—Kevin, do you want to fight? Right here?"
Although he couldn't possibly be Kevin's match, Kalpas and Kevin were by no means best friends. If Kevin intended to provoke him, Kalpas wouldn't hesitate to throw hands with him right here.
To this, Kevin replied: "No, it's just that this is the most efficient way. If you really want to fight, I will let Aponia come."
"You!"
Perhaps hearing the name Aponia, Kalpas subconsciously wanted to rage. But thinking that it would likely end in impotent fury, he just snorted coldly and said:
"Hmph, do whatever you want!"
Then, he disappeared from the spot...
And so, under Kevin's personal command and monitoring, the Holy Grail consciousness escaped Kalpas's beating and was delivered overnight to Mobius's outdoor laboratory.
It thought it had been rescued, unaware... that the true nightmare was only just beginning.
However, through the recent events, the Holy Grail consciousness had confirmed one thing: the Flame-Chasers were not a friendly, cohesive unit.
From the dialogue between Kevin and Kalpas, it could be seen that there was a considerable rift between them. This rift was definitely not formed overnight; they must have experienced extremely complex events.
Perhaps it could use this as a breakthrough point to escape.
---o---
[Light Curtain Barrage]
[L]: "A smart move... It seems the Holy Grail consciousness hasn't lived this long for nothing. Knowing that cracks exist among the Flame-Chasers, if it can utilize this, perhaps it really can escape."
[Conan Edogawa]: "Ah... it shouldn't be that easy, right? The gap in strength is too big. Even if there are rifts between the Flame-Chasers, they wouldn't let a creature suspected of being a Herrscher escape so easily."
[Overseer of Schicksal]: "It's not a matter of whether it's easy or not, but a matter of possibility. Let me state the conclusion first: It is impossible for it to escape while under Kevin's personal surveillance. This isn't something that can be achieved by exploiting rifts between Flame-Chasers."
Kevin Kaslana. In the Previous Era, there should only be the name Kevin. He was the ancestor of his beloved Kallen, the founder of the Kaslana clan, and the strongest warrior of the Previous Era. With him personally supervising, even if the Holy Grail consciousness were strengthened tenfold, there was absolutely no possibility of escape.
As for Kalpas, rather than worrying about him, it would be better to pay attention to Mobius. According to what Otto understood from the database in the Void Archives, this doctor's resume... could be described as astonishing.
In the current civilization, there was almost no scientist who could match her. Even those two eccentric geniuses from Anti-Entropy were the same. Mobius's scientific research ability would be considered a genius among geniuses in any era.
Of course... the most important thing was her attitude toward lab rats. Those researches regarded as taboo by ordinary people seemed to be merely the basics for Mobius...
---o---
[Light Curtain Image]
Mobius's laboratory. Mobius, dressed in a white lab coat, was sitting on a briefcase.
Although she was wearing a lab coat, her graceful figure could absolutely not be concealed by the loose clothing. A waist as slender as a snake, along with snake pupils and the look of a "bad woman"—who knew how many viewers outside the light curtain were fascinated and intoxicated by her.
The location of the laboratory was outdoors. Although the facilities inside the Fire Moth might be more complete, there were too many uncertain factors within the subject. To ensure the safety of the headquarters, it had to be set up outdoors.
"My, my~ The little white mouse has arrived. Now we have something to play with."
Sensing Kevin's aura from the outside, Mobius spoke in a neurotic tone, appearing very mysterious and powerful.
This also made the audience outside the light curtain curious. How exactly would Mobius pry open the mouth of the Holy Grail consciousness? And if she knew this was Elysia's memory space, what would happen?
After all, no matter what, this was a memory space. Everyone, including Mobius, did not truly exist. Yet, these mere memory constructs acted as if they were alive, torturing the Holy Grail consciousness from the outside world into such a state.
Zing—
A flash of light passed. Under Kevin's guard, Mobius was able to conduct experiments and dissection without any worries.
Under the terrified expression of the Holy Grail consciousness, Mobius calmly completed all the experiments without flushing or skipping a beat.
The cruelty of the process was naturally not omitted. In short, the ultra-high-definition camera in the light curtain tried its best to avoid shoving the lens directly into the Holy Grail consciousness's body, but even so, many people still vomited endlessly.
Along with this, the look in their eyes when viewing Mobius changed. No one expected that a seemingly petite and cute girl could be so ruthless. Scenes like this, which wouldn't pass censorship in any other world, could probably only be seen in the Light Curtain Image.
"How was the result?"
After the experiment ended, Kevin asked aloud.
Mobius thought for a moment and said, "Hmm... The effect doesn't seem good. The only thing confirmed is that this guy isn't a creature from our world. If I had the equipment from The Fire Moth, I should be able to get more information."
Kevin frowned and continued, "That is not what I asked. What about Elysia? How is she now? If we need to check memories, we can let Aponia or Su do it."
"Okay, okay, Kevin, don't be so anxious~ Relax, this guy just transformed into Elysia's appearance. Its strength, in any case, wouldn't be a match for Elysia. That woman is probably having fun somewhere right now for all we know."
To be honest, upon learning that something might have happened to Elysia, Mobius's heart also trembled. Not only because of the blow Elysia's death would deal to the internal stability of The Fire Moth, but also because she was unwilling to believe that Elysia would die at the hands of a nameless nobody.
However... just as Mobius and Kevin were conversing, a figure silently appeared in front of the Holy Grail consciousness, which had lost the light in its eyes.
Her appearance caused the Holy Grail consciousness, already tortured to the point of wishing for death, to widen its eyes, and also attracted the attention of Mobius and Kevin...
Author's Note:
PS: Actually, before Elysia died, the conflicts between the Flame-Chasers had reached a critical point. Without Elysia, the Flame-Chasers would have fought each other long ago—the kind of conflict that even Kevin would be powerless to stop.