345 Beast (I)

Beast.

They were the great calamity rejected by human history.

They were composed of 'Evils of Humanity', referring to all kinds of calamities that threaten human order and destroy humanity.

They were born from the karma of humanity's progress, becoming stronger with the development of humanity, but gradually revealing their nature of destruction within human society, like lurking cancer cells.

In the worldview of Nasuverse, there were a total of seven numbers of Beasts from one (I) to seven (VII), each of the positions open to be filled by a corresponding Evil of Humanity.

As long as humanity continues to exist, the Evils of Humanity will never be extinct.

Beast acted not out of malice toward humanity but rather threatened humanity through an underlying desire to protect it in a manner. In other words, the so-called Beast was actually their love for humanity itself, the desire to protect the beauty of humanity.

The strength of Beasts needed no further explanation.

Even humanity's seven strongest Heroic Spirits could only defeat a Beast under certain conditions of joint effort. Just from this point, one could already glimpse the power and terror of Beasts.

Though every Master present had heard legends about the Beast, they had never witnessed such existence themselves.

In their hearts, the so-called 'Beast' was just like the so-called 'God', mere unidentifiable shadows beneath the thick fog of history, belonging to that category which even if one exhausted their entire life, they could not come into contact with.

No one had expected that in a mere Holy Grail War, a Beast would truly descend.

At this moment, whether it was Nidhogg and Semiramis entangling in the sky, or all the Servants and Masters on the ground, everyone fell into silence all at once, gazing at the woman figure that seemed to have become the center of the world's evil.

"What... What's going on here... Why... Why would a Beast appear here..." Shirou had completely lost his usual composure, his eyes covered with intense shock.

Before deciding to participate in the Holy Grail War, he had prepared for everything. Success or failure, it was all within his expectations. For him, as long as he put forth all his efforts, no matter the outcome, he would accept it willingly.

However, that thing, that thing was beyond his expectations. No, to be more accurate, perhaps no one would have anticipated the appearance of that thing.

*Swish!*

The sound of a sword slashing, akin to a dragon, rang out crisp as snow. Shirou pressed his katana firmly against Kiara's neck, his gaze sharpening like the edge of a blade.

"Tell me, what is going on?! Sesshouin Kiara!"

Shirou had not forgotten what Kiara had said before.

—It's almost time.

Given her words and demeanor at that time, it was obvious that this mysterious nun knew Archer's true identity as 'Beast'.

"Since you knew Archer is Beast, why didn't you say it earlier?! Don't you know how much harm Beast can cause?!"

Shirou sternly questioned Kiara, pressing his katana forward further, leaving a conspicuous trail of blood on the latter's fair and slender neck.

"Beast, harm? Of course, I know it better than anyone else..." Kiara responded calmly.

Shirou was surprised by her calm reaction. Despite facing a sharp katana at her neck, capable of easily beheading her, she remained calm, wearing a smile of indifference and gentleness, as if she were a sacred and dazzling goddess.

"But what's the problem with that?" Kiara added.

"What's the problem, you say...? Do you even know... what you're saying...?" Shirou widened his eyes and gritted his teeth. "Beast is not a joke! Human order is in danger, do you know that!"

"Of course, I know~" Kiara smiled calmly. "I not only know Archer is Beast, but I also know she's Beast III (Third), the one who reigns over the aspect of lust."

"Beast III..."

"Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, your goal is to help all of humanity, to bring complete redemption to this sinful world, right?"

Kiara turned to look at the battlefield, where Kama was, seemingly unconcerned about the sharp katana pressed against her neck.

"And what if it is?"

Despite his true name being exposed, Shirou felt no surprise. This nun carried too many secrets, a puzzle impossible to solve. Even if she confessed to being a Beast herself, he wouldn't be surprised.

"In that case, why do you reject Beast III?" Kiara smiled gently. "For you, isn't Beast III an opportunity to achieve your goal?"

Hearing that, Shirou frowned slightly.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Beast III can bestow 'love' upon anything, including humanity..."

After saying that, Kiara shrugged her shoulders casually and continued.

"Imagine if humanity were all submerged in love. There would be no one wanting to compare themselves to others. Everyone could find endless satisfaction in 'love' without being driven by ridiculous reasons like poverty or freedom. If they all obtained their own satisfaction, there would be no more conflicts in this world. Everyone could have the love they desire."

Her words flowed like sweet syrup into Shirou's heart.

"Isn't this the world you seek to redeem?" Kiara continued.

"Don't joke with me!"

After a brief moment of confusion, the power of 'Revelation' restored Shirou's clarity.

"This isn't redemption, it's just a cage!"

"Who cares?" Kiara shrugged, looking pretty relaxed. "Isn't it better to live carefree in a cage than deal with all the cruelty and darkness out there, even with freedom?"

"You really... have lost your mind..." Shirou took a deep breath, tightening his grip on the katana's handle.

"Ara? Do you want to kill me?" Kiara raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Archer hasn't fully transformed into Beast yet. Since she still has a contract with you, as long as I kill you before that happens, everything can still be saved." Shirou said firmly.

"Oh? Is that what you truly believe?"

Kiara's voice suddenly echoed in his ears, seemingly close yet with no one around him.

"Do you—"

*Swish—!*

Before Kiara could finish her words, Shirou decisively swung his katana to behead her, but to his surprise, there was no scene of a severed head falling. Instead, Kiara suddenly disappeared as if she were a mirage all along.

'Magecraft or Noble Phantasm...' Shirou retreated cautiously, observing his surroundings, alert to the possibility of an ambush.

"Ara~ You act without hesitation, truly ruthless~"

Kiara's voice echoed again, close to his ear, yet there was no one around.

"I wonder what Assassin sees in you to be so willingly devoted to you..."

"Hahh... What were you even thinking? Always talking about saving humanity this, saving humanity that, yet in the end, your whole resolve and determination only amount to this. Amakusa Shirou Tokisada... What a letdown."

Kiara sighed with disappointment, as if she had finally gotten a new toy only to find its parts decayed inside.

"Well then, if that's the case, there's nothing more for me to say to you. Just stay here obediently and get ready to witness this world's final redemption."