"Clang—!"
The crisp sound marked the beginning of a fierce battle, resonating like an echo.
The axe-sword, heavy as a rock and fierce as a saw blade, struck the enormous shield with a thunderous noise, creating waves in the air.
"Ugh...!"
Holding the shield, Mash let out a groan as she felt the tremendous impact. Her feet scraped against the ground, leaving deep footprints as she struggled to withstand the force. The Berserker-class Servant roared continuously, his eyes glowing red, as he relentlessly swung the axe-sword towards Mash.
The ferocious attacks, like a storm, formed a whirlwind of gales, relentlessly striking the shield. Each impact produced a bell-like ring as sparks flew from the collision, and the shockwaves shook the surrounding earth.
Berserker showed no mercy and launched a lethal assault against Mash.
However, Mash didn't falter. With determination in her eyes and trembling arms, she met Berserker's attacks head-on, declaring that she wouldn't retreat any further.
She had done something similar before when trying to buy time for Rozen and Olga Marie to escape. However, back then, she couldn't withstand Berserker's overwhelming power and was eventually knocked away helplessly.
But now...
"Yah--!"
Mash let out a clear and spirited cry. What was once a barrage of attacks she couldn't handle, she now completely blocked and managed to repel Berserker's axe-sword in an opening.
"Thud—!"
With a muffled impact, Mash, holding her shield, smashed into Berserker, hitting his chest like a hammer.
Mash not only blocked all the attacks but also counterattacked.
Compared to her previous hopeless struggle, it was a night-and-day difference.
Naturally, that was to be expected.
Before, Mash had fought alone, making her no match for Berserker's overwhelming power.
But now, she wasn't alone.
"Right now!"
Seeing this situation, Rozen's eyes sparkled.
If anyone could see Rozen's magical circuits inside his body, they would notice the intricate circuitry working at lightning speed, allowing magic power to flow like electric currents.
Thanks to this, the massive magical power flowed through the contract channel established between Rozen and Mash, empowering her.
Moreover, Rozen had promptly used the second command spell at the beginning of the battle.
"By the Command Spell, I order you, Mash Kyrielight, defeat the formidable enemy in front of you!"
That was the command Rozen gave to Mash.
Under this command, the second Command Spell burned on the back of Rozen's hand, turning into a surge of powerful magic that flowed into Mash's body.
With the dual magical support from Rozen and the Command Spell, Mash's power almost exploded, allowing her not only to block Berserker's attacks but also to seize the opportunity to counterattack.
"Roar!"
Berserker let out a furious and ferocious roar.
He couldn't help but be angry.
Because, with Berserker's strength, even with the double magical support from Rozen and the Command Spell, Mash's lack of combat experience still made her unable to match Berserker.
Even if he lost his sanity, Berserker's battle techniques from his life were deeply ingrained in his well-trained flesh.
Given this, Mash's straightforward, no-frills, and non-technical direct assault shouldn't have been able to hit Berserker.
However, right from the beginning, Berserker's movements seemed somewhat chaotic.
His terrifying onslaught, like a storm, would, at some point, unexpectedly pause for a fraction of a second, imperceptible to the eye.
His unexpectedly agile body, at some point, would jerk as if having a spasm, freezing in place.
Under this inexplicable influence, Berserker's attacks remained violent and fearsome, but every now and then, a tiny opening would appear.
This slight vulnerability became Mash's lifeline.
And so...
"In three seconds! Attack from the left!"
"Yes, Master!"
Following Rozen's loud command, Mash responded with equal fervor, executing the order precisely as instructed.
Three seconds later, Berserker's axe-sword once again showed a slight pause, his body twitched again, giving Mash the opportunity she needed. Raising her shield, she charged forward.
"Thud—!"
With an indeterminate number of strikes, the heavy shield finally forced Berserker to retreat.
"Roar—!"
As if unable to tolerate his own retreat, Berserker fell into a rage.
On the side, Olga Marie, who had just struggled to her feet, was completely stunned witnessing the scene.
Meanwhile, bathed in Olga Marie's gaze, Rozen continued giving instructions without pause, pouring out a large amount of magical power to support Mash, allowing her to fight the monster they had deemed unbeatable before.
As the battle intensified, Olga Marie's heart trembled.
She knew that the one responsible for this situation, is none other than Rozen.
"How... how did he manage this?"
Even with a massive supply of magical power and the strengthening of Command Spells, defeating that Berserker still seemed impossible.
Yet, Rozen did something, interfering with Berserker's actions, causing him to reveal frequent weaknesses. Moreover, Rozen provided precise instructions to Mash, exploiting these openings, preventing the battle from being completely one-sided.
"In this case... maybe we can win?"
Olga Marie couldn't help but harbor some hope.
Unfortunately, this version of Olga Marie had not yet realized one crucial fact.
Rozen's complexion was gradually turning pale.
"Magical power..."
Rozen felt the rapid depletion of magical power inside him, supporting his already trembling body.
In order to defeat the formidable enemy before him, Rozen not only poured out a large amount of magical power to strengthen Mash but also summoned the familiar that served as his hidden trump card.
Now, all Rozen could do was grit his teeth.
" [ Summon Evil Spirit ]!"
Under Rozen's command, the owl-like phantoms, visible only to him, flapped their wings and flew forward, vanishing into Berserker's body.
At that moment, the spiritual core inside Berserker's body trembled.