Fate/Magus Path

169 Wrestling

"How... how did you manage that?"

Quetzalcoatl stared at Roy, who stood unharmed on the city walls, waving at her. Her mind raced with questions.

This intriguing kid had taken a direct hit from her and yet stood there unscathed. How?

She knew she hadn't held back. Even the other two goddesses of the Three Goddess Alliance couldn't have withstood that strike without injury. She had felt the blade cut through flesh, the sensation unmistakable. Yet here he was, alive and well.

The sight of Roy, still full of energy, left her both astonished and deeply puzzled. Her curiosity about his secrets grew even stronger.

"How fascinating, how fascinating! You're like a gift box full of surprises. What else do you have in store for me, Kid?"

Quetzalcoatl was exhilarated. An opponent like this was rare, and she was determined to savor every moment.

What she didn't know was that Roy hadn't emerged unscathed. He had taken the full brunt of her attack, then used the Third Magic to reconstruct his body and soul, healing himself instantly. Using the momentum from the blow and the brief moment of her distraction, he had activated the Count of Monte Cristo's Noble Phantasm to teleport to the city walls, shifting the battlefield.

It was a risky plan, but it had worked. Quetzalcoatl, true to her benevolent nature, hadn't pursued him immediately. Her kindness had been his opportunity.

"I'm sorry, Feathered Serpent Goddess. I took advantage of your kindness," Roy said, standing on the walls, his voice tinged with regret.

The Sun Temple had turned Ur into her divine domain, granting her immense power within its bounds. His attacks had been ineffective, while every strike from her felt like being hit by a speeding train. To stand a chance, he had to lure her out of the city. Even with the Count's speed, escaping her divine territory was nearly impossible. This deception had been his only way out.

Now, he stood at the edge of her domain.

The sunlight filtered through the jungle outside Ur, casting dappled shadows on the lush grass. A gentle breeze stirred his hair as Roy raised his hands, assuming a combat stance. Mana surged around him, signaling his readiness to fight seriously.

Having used trickery once, he wouldn't do so again. It would be disrespectful to an opponent like her. From here on, he would meet her expectations head-on, giving his all, regardless of the outcome.

"Hahahahaha!!! How amusing, how utterly amusing, Kid!"

Seeing Roy's serious expression, Quetzalcoatl burst into laughter. "I was the one who cheated first, yet here you are, apologizing so earnestly. I'm growing fonder of your earnestness by the minute."

"Very well, if you wish to leave the city, I'll come out and fight you. But..."

She stepped out of Ur and into the jungle. "This jungle is also under the influence of the Sun Temple. It's still my territory, though the boost isn't as strong as in the city. Even here, the fight won't be entirely fair for you~"

She explained this openly, her tone almost playful. As the supreme deity of South America, her divine territory was vast. The jungle, like Ur, was part of her domain, which was how she had known of Enkidu's arrival and Roy's earlier movements.

"Thank you for your honesty, Feathered Serpent Goddess. I'm aware, and I have a plan."

Roy smiled, appreciating her candor. Then, he turned toward the jungle and called out, "Taiga, it's your turn!"

"Got it! The mysterious jungle maiden, the night singer, the mightiest jungle goddess, is here!!"

From the bushes, Jaguar Man emerged, her yellow fur glinting in the sunlight. The enigmatic jungle heroine, absent for an entire chapter, had finally returned!