These Beast Generals were the very foundation of the Beasts—eleven children of Tiamat herself.
As long as these Progenitors remained, the Beasts would keep spawning endlessly. But conversely, if even one of them were defeated, fearsome creatures like Bašmu—those elite terrors that haunted armies—would cease to multiply.
Indeed, such high-tier Beasts were difficult to produce even for their own side. To this day, Bašmu had only ever appeared on the battlefield as an elite unit, and each time, its presence shifted the tide of war dramatically.
"I won't be a fool like Kishar—time to end you!"
The monstrous draconic humanoid bared its jagged fangs in a savage grin before vanishing from sight in an instant.
And just as suddenly, it reappeared—right in front of Castorice.
"So fast…"
A flicker of surprise crossed Castorice's face.
Perhaps her previous battles hadn't pitted her against anything truly formidable. Even Gilgamesh hadn't shown overwhelming strength, leading her to grow slightly careless.
But now, the speed of this draconic Bašmu startled her more than she'd expected.
After all, purely in terms of velocity, this thing was no joke—easily at the level of a god!
She hadn't yet ventured into the rainforest to face that divine leopard-man, but even if that one was faster, it couldn't be by much.
Each Beast General possessed a unique power—but Bašmu the draconic warrior was the exception. Lacking any special ability like his peers, he was instead gifted with a ludicrously overdeveloped physique.
His body wasn't just tough—it was literally impenetrable. Ordinary weapons couldn't even leave a scratch on his scales. Even Servants found it nearly impossible to pierce that hide of iron and steel.
And his strength? Equally monstrous.
Clang!
His first strike slammed into Castorice's scythe, which she held horizontally to block—but the impact sent her stumbling backward two steps, her palms numb from the shock.
This kind of brute would've been perfect for Mydeimos to handle.
After all, the Kremnos folk were the sort whose brains had been ironed completely flat—only two thoughts ever occupied their skulls: kill the enemy or die trying. And with Mydeimos's raw physicality, smashing this thing to pulp would be effortless.
But for Castorice, engaging him in a straight-up brawl was a headache.
His scales were practically invulnerable, and his speed made it child's play to dodge her touch.
Her hands carried the power to end life instantly—but only if she could actually make contact.
Like that boy Kamijou Touma, no matter how powerful your right hand is, it's useless if you can't reach your target.
Every time Castorice reached out, the draconic beast sensed her intent and twisted aside, retaliating with brutal, bone-shattering blows. Sharp bony spikes jutted from his elbows and knees—if any of those landed, she'd be grievously wounded in an instant.
"Is that all? I'll admit your 'instant death by touch' is impressive… but beyond that, you're frail—pathetic! Once you're dead, I'll turn you into a Beast myself. Your power will serve us, and thanks to you, the whole of Uruk will drown in stagnant death!"
Thud!
Another elbow strike forced Castorice back another two steps. Bašmu grinned, his fangs glinting coldly, as if ready to tear open her chest right then and there.
"If that's all you've got… it's not enough."
Yet Castorice remained utterly composed, her expression as calm as still water despite the peril.
She wasn't panicking—even though she was clearly at a disadvantage.
"Hmph. We'll see if that mouth of yours stays so tough once I've ripped you apart!"
Bašmu dismissed her quiet retort as mere bravado.
No one noticed that with every clash between them, tiny sparks—mingled with drops of dark, murky water—splattered onto his body.
To Bašmu, this meant nothing. After all, her scythe was forged from the waters of the River of Souls—of course it would splash. And his scales? Unbreakable. He had no fear of mere river water eating away at him.
Castorice said nothing. She just kept fighting.
Until, at last, a sharp sting shot through his body.
He froze. The blade of her scythe had actually cut him—blood welled from the wound.
His once-unbreakable scales, which even Castorice had struggled to pierce, had grown brittle—fragile.
"How… how is this possible?!"
He licked the blood dripping from his arm, his expression twisting into something ugly. His gaze toward Castorice was no longer dismissive.
Castorice couldn't be bothered to explain to a brute who thought with his muscles, not his mind.
Yes, she knew her melee skills weren't exceptional, and her power had its limits—but that didn't mean he could simply crush her with brute force.
His scales might be hard, but they were still part of a living being. And any biological armor had one flaw: its strength depended on the vitality of its host.
The waters of the River of Souls clinging to her strikes had one sole purpose—sapping the life from his scales.
Just as an animal's hide and scales wither and weaken the moment it dies, Castorice had done the same… she'd forced his armor into a state of premature death.
Bašmu never noticed his scales slowly losing their luster, growing dull and rough—until the moment her scythe split his flesh wide open.
"Wow… amazing, Miss Castorice!"
From afar, Ushiwakamaru watched the scene unfold, eyes shining with awe.
She'd expected Castorice to be overwhelmed—but no one foresaw the tide turning so swiftly.
"Damn it… Fine! I'll spare you—this time!"
Feeling his blood seep from the wound, Bašmu's expression darkened. He turned to flee—
But in that instant, Ana emerged from the shadows.
"Not so fast!"
Her chains shot through the air, coiling tightly around his leg.
"Get lost!"
Bašmu snarled, yanking his leg with such force that Ana was flung aside.
But that single moment of delay was enough.
Castorice stepped forward, her scythe already swinging.
"Wither away!"
A wet thunk—the sound of steel biting deep into flesh.
In that instant, a severed head tumbled to the ground.
Castorice's hand brushed against his body, and his last breath fled.
"Thanks, Ana. I wouldn't have caught him without you."
Once it was over, Castorice turned to Ana with a warm, teasing smile.
"...I just happened to be passing by."
Ana's cheeks flushed faintly. That smile of Castorice's… it gave her a strange feeling.
"Ah, I get it, I get it. Ana hates humans, so of course she'd never help me on purpose."
Castorice nodded playfully at the flustered girl.
"Urusai! You're so annoying!"
Ana huffed loudly, cheeks burning, and stomped off in a huff.
Just then, Merlin approached Castorice.
"Miss Castorice," he said, "King Gilgamesh wishes to speak with you."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.