Miracle Summoner

Artoria [Alter] was the kind of person who either didn't take action or, when she did, unleashed a thunderous force that stunned everyone present.

Bathed in a storm of pitch-black magical energy, the crowd could only look at Artoria [Alter], who was radiating a terrifying aura of mana with a cold and ruthless expression, all struggling to maintain their footing.

Naturally, if even those who weren't directly targeted by Artoria [Alter]'s Noble Phantasm were in such a dire state, one could only imagine the condition of those who were hit directly.

The army of Knights was effectively blasted apart. Those at the center of the torrent of light were annihilated, while those fortunate enough to be on the periphery were scattered like debris, slamming into the ground.

"Damn it!"

Mordred retreated violently from the torrent of light and landed on the ground but quickly fell to one knee. Her armor was in tatters, and blood flowed from her limbs and forehead. Clearly, she hadn't escaped unscathed from the Holy Sword's blow.

If not for the fact that, at the last second, Mordred had amplified her mana output to its maximum and used her enhanced Mana Burst to unleash a surge of red lightning, combined with her armor, which was itself a high-grade Noble Phantasm with substantial Magic Defence, she would likely have been erased from existence.

Of course, this was also because Mordred had actively attacked Artoria [Alter], causing the Holy Sword's power to be focused on her. The others had merely been collateral damage. Otherwise, while the fate of the Knights might be debatable, the auxiliary forces of the Knights would have been entirely obliterated.

Under these circumstances, the other two Knights of the Round Table fared slightly better than Mordred.

"As expected of the king we once served, you are truly powerful. For a moment there, I thought I was done for. How sorrowful," Tristan said, holding his harp while invisible arrows swirled like a storm around him, deflecting much of the torrent's aftermath.

"..."

Lancelot remained silent but had drawn his sword at some point, holding it defensively in front of himself. Although his body was smoking, he managed to block the aftershocks of the Holy Sword.

Before the battle even began in earnest, one side was already in shambles.

Such a situation left the Knights of the Round Table deeply shaken.

This wasn't their first time crossing swords with Artoria [Alter]. Having been in the Singularity for over half a year, they had encountered her at least three or four times on the battlefield, if not more.

Thus, the Knights were well aware that while Artoria [Alter] was undoubtedly strong, she had never surpassed them, who had been bolstered by the blessings of the three Holy Grails.

But now, with just a single blow from her Holy Sword, Artoria [Alter] had left three Knights of the Round Table in such a sorry state.

Why had things changed?

The answer was clear.

"Is it all because of Chaldea's Master?"

Lancelot, Mordred, and Tristan all turned to look at Rozen.

There, Rozen stood silently, as if he were outside the battle, unaffected and indifferent, his expression calm.

It was his Servants who showed more apparent emotions.

In particular, Jeanne [Alter] was angrily shouting.

"Are you insane, you cold-blooded, violent woman!?" Jeanne [Alter] bellowed furiously. "Who opens a fight with their strongest Noble Phantasm? I almost got blown away, you mad woman!?"

"Is that so?" Artoria [Alter] replied with an impassive face. "I didn't realize you were so weak. If even a little residual mana can almost blow you away, and this is you after contracting with the Master, I can't imagine how pathetic you were before. No wonder you got captured and imprisoned here, you venomous and haughty woman."

"Who are you calling venomous and haughty!?" Jeanne [Alter] was even more enraged, shouting, "And it was your subordinates who captured me and threw me here! I haven't even confronted you about the humiliation yet! What kind of incompetent leader are you to recruit such useless subordinates, you moron!?"

"Regrettably, you wouldn't understand." Artoria [Alter] glanced coldly at Jeanne [Alter] before saying, "Someone like you, who only knows how to set everything ablaze on the battlefield, wouldn't know the first thing about identifying talent and recruiting subordinates. Why don't you just go and ride your dragon? Look, there's one gnashing its teeth in the corner over there. It suits you, gloomy woman."

"...Very well. It seems my anger finally has a target. Prepare yourself, you flat-chested woman."

"...That's my line. Although I didn't care much about gender when I ruled as a king under a male guise, since you've said it, I'll let you taste the full might of my Holy Sword, you overweight woman."

And with that, Artoria [Alter] and Jeanne [Alter] locked eyes. One raised her Holy Sword, while the other raised her Cursed Banner, seemingly ready to fight to the death.

This was no joke.

Both were evil alignment Servants with malicious tendencies, quick to draw blood at the slightest provocation.

Thus, seeing black light gathering on Artoria [Alter]'s Holy Sword and flames igniting on Jeanne [Alter]'s Cursed Banner, everyone was truly alarmed.

"Please… please stop! The enemy is still out there!" Mash hurriedly stepped in to stop them.

"Lord Rozen, what should we do?" Hassan of Serenity asked helplessly, seeking guidance from Rozen.

Rozen looked at the two women and suddenly said something unexpected.

"By the way, Artoria, I recall you're also considered a manifestation of the Red Dragon. Isn't it inappropriate to let Jeanne ride a dragon?"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire battlefield fell silent.

"..."

"..."

Artoria [Alter] and Jeanne [Alter] both froze.

Mash and Serenity widened their eyes.

The Chaldea staff hadn't yet reacted, staring at the scene in a state of shock.

Even the Knights of the Round Table looked dumbfounded, unable to process the situation immediately.

A bizarre silence enveloped the battlefield.

Until, not long after, the most impatient person present finally broke the silence.

"I mean, you guys—"

Mordred began to speak, but before she could finish...

"Shut up!"

Artoria [Alter] and Jeanne [Alter] shouted in unison, unleashing a torrent of light and raging flames.

The battlefield was reignited once again.