Miracle Summoner

The Middle East, also known as the Middle Eastern region, refers to the area from the eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, encompassing parts of Southwest Asia and North Africa, including about 23 countries (excluding Afghanistan).

Covering an area of approximately 15 million square kilometers and home to 490 million people, the region connects Asia, Europe, and Africa while bridging the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Historically, it has served as a hub for East-West exchanges, earning the moniker of the "crossroads of two oceans, three continents, and five seas" due to its strategic importance.

The majority of the population is Caucasian, with a long history of cultural exchanges between East and West. The region is home to numerous ethnic groups, each maintaining its own religious beliefs and customs. Most residents practice Islam, while minorities follow Christianity, Judaism, and other religions, with Jerusalem revered as a holy city.

Cultural differences make the Middle East an unstable region. Competition over scarce freshwater and rich oil resources, coupled with religious and cultural differences, has led to long-standing conflict and turmoil.

In recorded human history, the Ninth Crusade in the 13th century marked the final major campaign aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land. This crusade, initiated by England's Prince Edward after Louis IX's failed Eighth Crusade to capture Tunis, ultimately ended in failure.

The defeat of the Ninth Crusade is attributed to the waning chivalric spirit among the Crusaders and the rise of the Mamluk forces led by Baibars in Egypt. This marked the beginning of the end for the Crusaders in the eastern Mediterranean.

With the fall of Acre, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was officially declared extinct. The Crusaders relocated their stronghold first to Tortosa and eventually to Cyprus. Even their last foothold, the island of Arwad, fell in 1302 or 1303, ending the era of Crusades in the Holy Land after 208 years, beginning with Pope Urban II's call for the First Crusade.

It is into such an era that Rozen and Mash have arrived.

At this moment, two massive wolves are sprinting across the scorched earth of the Middle East. Rozen and Mash ride atop these beasts, summoned as their mounts to aid in their journey.

These wolves, mid-level familiars summoned by Rozen, serve as a means of ground transport. Initially, Rozen considered summoning a dragon for flight, which would have been faster and more convenient. However, after reflecting on the vision he had glimpsed earlier, he decided otherwise.

"If we were to fly so openly in the skies, the owner of that light might notice us and shoot us down," Rozen reasoned. "That would be a costly mistake."

Thus, Rozen opted for ground travel, which allowed him and Mash to take in their surroundings.

Avoiding the massive craters dotting the terrain, Rozen and Mash could see a land burning with fiery intensity, as though magma lay just beneath the surface.

The two wolves howled restlessly as they ran, seemingly uncomfortable with the heat and the thick concentration of mana in the air.

"This Singularity's environment is truly harsh," Mash observed gravely.

Though Mash had encountered other Singularities with extreme environments, such as the stormy seas of the Third Singularity and the miasma-filled London of the Fourth, the Sixth Singularity presented a different challenge. The oppressive atmosphere, vast craters, and ever-burning flames created an almost suffocating sense of despair.

Rozen, however, remained calm.

"This Singularity is more fragile than any of the previous ones," he said. "The influence of the incineration of humanity has reached here, causing the land itself to burn."

As his cloak billowed in the fierce winds, Rozen continued, "We need to quickly gather information, understand the situation, and resolve it to restore this Singularity. Otherwise, we might end up descending into hell along with it."

To that end, Rozen had summoned numerous flocks of birds to scout the surroundings for information. At the same time, Chaldea provided support.

"The radar scan results are ready. I'll send you the map now," came Da Vinci's voice through the communicator. A holographic map of the Middle East during this era materialized before Rozen, resembling the satellite scans used in GGO.

Roman's voice followed. "As you can see, the Middle East in this era is divided into three zones: the central Holy Land region, the mountainous areas, and the desert region."

"We've detected a single massive city in the Holy Land region — Jerusalem. However, the area surrounding it has turned into wilderness, resembling the lunar surface, with massive craters and burning flames, making survival there almost unimaginable."

"The mountainous areas are more remote, showing scattered signs of life. These might be villages, but we haven't pinpointed their exact locations yet."

"As for the desert region, it's completely unobservable. All we can detect are massive sandstorms and terrifyingly dense mana. Everything else remains a mystery. It's the most enigmatic of the three zones."

"You're currently in the Holy Land region, about two to three hours away from Jerusalem at your current speed," Roman concluded.

Finally, Olga Marie's voice cut in. "From the looks of it, the key to this Singularity is likely in the desert region. The Holy Land may be the stronghold of humanity's allies resisting the desert forces, while the mountainous areas could serve as a refuge for survivors. For now, our priority is to head to Jerusalem and collaborate with the allies there."

Mash summarized the situation, earning agreement from the Chaldea staff.

Rozen, after a moment of thought, was about to speak when his expression shifted.

"Is something wrong, Senpai?" Mash asked, sensing the change.

"...It's nothing," Rozen replied, narrowing his eyes. "It's just that most of the familiars I sent out have been destroyed."

"What?" Mash was taken aback.