Fabro Chaos had a grading system for his beasts, strangely similar to the classic levels in Japanese RPGs. The most frequently used and easiest to evolve were beasts like wolves, tigers, and leopards, which were around levels 20–30. Mythical creatures like unicorns, wyverns, and giant serpents were much higher, reaching levels 50–60. While even stronger beasts existed, due to the unpredictability of Chaos, they couldn't always evolve according to his wishes.
This was one of the reasons why Fabro sought Roa's help to organize the Chaos system tree. If he could control the evolution of the Seeds of Life at will, he could become the next Tiamat. At that point, even Arcueid and the Wizard Marshal wouldn't be able to deal with him.
But let's not veer off topic; back to the beast horde. While the regular beasts weren't high-level enough to pose a threat to Shinji, who had surpassed level 70, or Rin, who, with her Jeweled Sword, had reached the 60+ range, they were deadly to ordinary civilians. If left unchecked, it wouldn't take long for the previously peaceful and stable Fuyuki City to turn into a bloody hell.
This was the little trick Roa had mentioned.
"I see, a hostage situation. It's certainly an old and classic trope, as cliché as it gets."
The young Shinji stopped, rubbing his temples. At the same time, Spartacus and Achilles also ceased their attacks.
"But you have to admit, this method is quite effective because it preys on an unavoidable aspect of humanity."
Roa spoke as he crawled out of the dirt.
"If you don't want your hometown bathed in blood, then let us go."
"Do you think I'd believe you? Even if I let you go, Fuyuki could still be attacked."
Young Shinji took two steps forward, joining Achilles and Spartacus to surround Roa.
While the attacks had stopped, the blockade was still in place.
"Don't worry. We wouldn't do something so drastic unless we had no other choice. The reason is simple: doing so would break the principle of keeping the supernatural hidden. If that happens, the entire world of mystics would unite to hunt us down, and we don't want to die just yet."
This was realistic, not to mention the most reasonable answer. Shinji couldn't help but nod to himself.
"Sounds reasonable enough."
"So, do you agree?"
Roa asked, his face lighting up—only to freeze a moment later at Shinji's response.
"No, I refuse! My name is Matou Shinji, and I love saying no to self-righteous people!"
"Do you not care about your hometown at all?"
Roa asked, incredulously.
"Of course, I care. It's precisely because I care that I've already arranged for its protection."
As Shinji spoke, he pulled a miniature radio device from his pocket. Thanks to its special materials, it hadn't been damaged during the monster-level battle.
"Moshi moshi."
"This is the Special Action Squad of the Holy Church's Heretical Inquisition Knights!" a spirited voice came through the speaker.
"You heard everything?"
"Yes, loud and clear. Knights, prepare for the hunt! We won't let a single beast escape, I swear on the honor of the Order!"
"With that, I can relax," Shinji chuckled and then, in a mock-apologetic tone, said to Roa, "Sorry, I have reliable Holy Shield Knights as partners, so I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
"Don't get cocky!"
Roa finally snapped.
"Fabro, forget everything else! Release all your beasts! Let them scatter and devour every living thing in the area!"
"Understood."
A black torrent surged forth as Fabro unleashed his beasts in all directions.
Even after releasing over a hundred beasts, he still retained more than 400 lives. While Shinji wasn't worried about the beasts when they were together, once they scattered, they became a real headache.
Even as Rin continued to swing her Jeweled Sword, even as Jack dismembered them, and even as the fifteen Memory Servants worked together to block them, they couldn't stop the beasts from fleeing in all directions.
Because they weren't sticking together; they were scattered—fleeing left and right, up and down, in all directions.
From the ground, from the sky, from underground.
It didn't take many to escape; even if only a small number of them got out, the area surrounding Fuyuki City would become a hunting ground for these monsters.
What made it even more troublesome was that if all their power was focused on stopping the beasts, they would lose control over Roa and the others.
Three men in black coats gathered together, the one in front smiling gleefully.
"Until next time, Azure Knight."
"Why wait until next time?"
Shinji's expression didn't change. Once again, he spoke into his radio device.
"Moshi moshi."
"No need for 'moshi,' we're already here."
Before Roa and the others could react, a sharp whistling sound rang out from above, followed by hundreds of Black Keys raining down from the sky.
The source?
Two girls dressed in nun habits. One held a holy scripture, her arms, and legs covered in green arcane sigils. The other exuded a visible aura of darkness, appearing even more heretical than the heretics they were hunting.
"You can't escape, Roa."
Holy light flickered as the holy scripture transformed into a lance of light.
"Kirei Kotomine, I will kill you."
Dark energy surged downward, wilting any plant life it touched.
"Haven't you two learned your lesson yet? Stop getting in my way!"
At this point, Roa couldn't afford to waste time punishing his daughters for amusement. With a magical sigil in his left hand and a dagger in his right, he charged alongside Fabro and Araya. This was a hard-won opportunity, and there was no way he'd let these two ruin it.
This pragmatic, no-nonsense approach was undeniably effective. Both Ciel and Caren were heavy on offense but light on defense, and it wasn't long before they fell behind the three men.
However, at that moment, Shinji switched to a third communication channel.
"Moshi moshi."
"This is Mana. Mom and the others are ready."
"Then jump."
"OK!"
Jump? Jump what?
Jump out of a plane!
A helicopter appeared above the battlefield. Due to the soundproofing runes etched on its surface, no one had noticed it.
Within ten seconds of receiving Shinji's communication, the cabin door opened, and four figures jumped out.
Two men, two women.
As they fell, they slaughtered the flying beasts with incredible speed, descending rapidly in free fall.
Yes, free fall.
These four people had no parachutes, nor were they using any kind of spell to slow their descent. They simply jumped out of the helicopter with no hesitation.
This extreme method of descent was something even an ancient Dead Apostle like Altrouge wouldn't dare try. So where did these mere humans get the confidence to do it? Were they tired of living?
The answer was soon revealed. Just before their potential energy fully converted into kinetic energy, the first person to jump—a woman wielding a blade from the underworld, seemingly the embodiment of death—unleashed four consecutive slashes.
In the next moment, all four of them mysteriously stopped in mid-air, gently landing on the ground.