Chapter 6 - Female Monster of Gorgon (I)

(Altair POV)

After Nobunaga effortlessly wiped out the skeletons, we walked for about an hour through the ruined city. The silence was broken only by the rubble under our feet, and Nobunaga's occasional grumbles.

Nobunaga walked beside me, carefree, while Ritsuka was carried over Mash's shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

The red-haired girl had the stamina of a wet paper towel.

Olga looked tired, small beads of sweat trickling down her face, but she stubbornly refused to ask for help—probably out of pride.

Scratching my itchy ear one last time, I approached her.

It's time to put some chivalry into action.

Without a word, I grabbed Olga by the waist.

"Kyaaaaa!" She let out a high-pitched scream, almost musical to my ears.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed as I lifted her into the air.

Smiling, I placed her on my shoulder. Her plump backside, covered in tights, settled comfortably against my shoulder.

Standing nearly two meters tall and broad-shouldered, I had more than enough space for her to sit.

"You've got a way with women, huh?" Nobunaga remarked, her tone bored.

"It's one of my many talents," I replied, smiling at the warlord, who kept a blank expression.

"Unprofessional," Olga muttered, holding onto my neck for balance.

"First time, huh?" Ritsuka said, her face still flushed from being hauled around like a sack of potatoes. "At least you kept your dignity," she said, eyes tearing up. Considering her butt had been exposed, her melodrama seemed justified.

"Well, sorry, Director, but we're picking up the pace," I said, flexing my feet. "Nobunaga, you guard the group."

"Yay! Yay!" She waved her hand side to side like a child at play.

"Mash, come with me."

"Yes, Senpai."

With those words, we sped forward, not even stopping for the skeletons Nobunaga took down effortlessly with her matchlocks, while I carved a path with just one free arm.

Within minutes, we reached what looked like the ruins of a church. However, as we approached, the air grew noticeably colder.

The structure reminded me of a certain church once inhabited by a homicidal priest. Ironically, the area seemed less damaged than the rest of the city. Besides the charred remains of the church, there was a graveyard next to it—a sea of crooked, half-shattered tombstones.

"Seriously? A church?" Nobunaga rolled her eyes, clearly disgusted by anything religious. At least it wasn't a Buddhist sect, or our dear Demon King might've started a small massacre.

"For now, this is the best place to take a break," Olga said, still sitting on my shoulder, her face bright red.

Enjoying the feel of her behind on my shoulder, I smirked, then gently set her down.

"Thank you, Miller," she murmured, avoiding eye contact, clearly embarrassed.

Ritsuka also dismounted, stretching her back. "Feels like my body was trampled," she said, forcing a smile.

Although both had been carried most of the way, they were visibly exhausted—physically and mentally.

Neither girl had complained during the journey, no matter how tough it had been.

Even I was tired—not physically, since I was actually in perfect condition—but mentally, I was drained. So much had happened in less than a day… far too much.

"Let's take a break," Olga announced, walking toward the church, followed by Mash and Ritsuka.

"My back…" Ritsuka groaned, rubbing it. "Next time, I'm riding on your shoulder," she said, looking at me with a sparkle in her eye.

I just gave the tomboyish girl a soft smile.

Mash approached her. "I'm sorry, Master," the pink-haired girl said, bowing her head.

"Haha! It's not your fault, Mash," Ritsuka replied, patting her head. "It's just my body that's fragile."

While Master and Servant interacted, I turned my attention to my rather peculiar Servant. Nobunaga stood in the graveyard, staring intently at the tombstones.

Curious, I walked over. After a few seconds, I stood beside her. She had her arms crossed and a deep frown on her face.

"Nobunaga?" I called, but she remained silent. Then finally, she spoke:

"What do you think is wrong with this place?" she asked, still staring at the tombstones.

Following her gaze, I examined them. They didn't look normal — maybe debris from the church? I took a few more steps and stopped when my foot hit something solid. It was a stone-carved hand. Looking ahead, I saw what looked like a life-sized stone leg jutting from the ground.

"Statues?" I muttered, frowning.

"They're far too realistic to be mere statues," Nobunaga said, glancing to the right.

I followed her gaze and widened my eyes. In the distance stood a large funerary monument. Carved eyes filled with terror stared directly at me. I straightened up, assuming a more guarded stance.

"These... are people turned to stone... but how?"

The image of a pink-haired Servant instantly flashed through my mind.

Could it be her?

As if confirming my thoughts, my Instinct skill activated on its own, sending chills down my spine.

Someone was watching us—with clear murderous intent.

"Everyone!" I shouted, catching the attention of the girls who hadn't entered the church yet, but almost immediately, the sound of clinking chains echoed through the graveyard.

"Wait, are those chains?" Ritsuka cried, running toward me as the chains encircled the graveyard.

"Master!" Mash raised her shield, protecting Ritsuka and Olga.

Nobunaga, still staring at the tombstones, stayed calm. She simply raised her eyes to the top of a mausoleum.

"The filthy little rat finally showed up."

I narrowed my eyes at the mausoleum. A figure emerged on top of the structure.

"From my perspective, you're the rats," she said, licking her lips like a cat eyeing its prey.

She was tall and voluptuous, clad in a dark, sheer mantle that revealed a deep neckline. Her long, light pink hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her golden eyes burned beneath her hood.

Medusa?

Immediately, the image of the curvy Servant came to mind. While her body was similar to the voluptuous Medusa I knew, she seemed different—especially her golden eyes that stared us down.

Atop the mausoleum, Medusa parted her lips, purring:

"Squirming little pests like you make perfect additions to my collection," she purred, stroking a statue as if it were her favorite trophy.

"Your voice is annoying," Nobunaga said, lifting a finger. A matchlock appeared at her side, firing a red beam.

Medusa twisted her body, easily dodging the attack, which struck the church. "Two Servants... no, three unknown Servants. Though one seems rather different... How intriguing," she said, licking her lips with a sadistic, excited glint in her eyes. "This will be—"

Before she finished her distorted monologue, I lunged forward like a bullet, fist raised, aiming straight for her perfect face. Startled, she nimbly leaped to the ground as I destroyed the mausoleum.

"I told you you're annoying," Nobunaga said, now standing on one of her floating matchlocks, while two others floated beside her, aimed at Medusa.

With a simple hand gesture, the matchlocks fired red energy beams, slicing through the air with a high-pitched hiss.

The beams shot toward the lilac-haired gorgon in an instant.

Smiling, Medusa swung her arm, and a giant, sinister-looking scythe appeared in her hand. With skill, she spun it, slashing the beams, which ricocheted off the gleaming blade and vanished in red sparks.

"Such a lively girl. I'll enjoy draining you," Medusa said, sadistically pointing the scythe at Nobunaga.

"Not interested," Nobunaga replied flatly, firing another matchlock.

Medusa jumped back to dodge, but the moment her feet touched the ground, I appeared beside her, throwing a punch.

With a sudden twist, she brought her scythe up just in time. The clash rang through the graveyard, vibrations rattling up her arms.

Holding the scythe against my arm, she looked directly into my eyes.

"You're bold," she said, seductively. "I love men like you, who charge into danger... mmh, you're my favorite kind." The sadism in her eyes burned brightly as her tongue slid across her lips again in a wholly sensual manner.

"Thanks for the compliment. You're my type too, but I'm not a fan of that personality," I replied, holding her scythe blade against my forearm.

There was no doubt—this wasn't the Medusa I knew. She was different… Could this be an Alter version, like Artoria in Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel?

Curious, I opened my mouth and asked: "You're Medusa Alter, aren't you?" I asked, staring into her sadistic eyes.

For a moment, surprise flickered across her face—but it was quickly replaced by an amused smile.

"Hehehe… You're an interesting one," she purred, her tongue trailing lazily across her lips. "Exactly! I'm Medusa Alter," she cooed, her voice dripping with wicked delight.

••• ••• •••

Don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me.

(Medusa Alter - Character Image)