-185- A requiem in the camp

French Army Camp.

In this moment, the soldiers of the French army were going about their respective tasks. Some were patrolling and on guard duty, others were cooking and preparing food, and some were inspecting weapons, creating an atmosphere of solemnity in the air.

At first glance, it appeared to be a typical military encampment.

However, upon closer observation, it could be seen that the soldiers were tense, their faces taut, as if on edge. An unusual silence hung in the air.

This unusual atmosphere did not escape the notice of the approaching trio of Servants. Particularly, d'Eon, who had experience as a spy, couldn't overlook such obvious abnormalities.

"What's going on?"

d'Eon halted his steps, furrowing his brow with confusion.

"Kill!"

On the other hand, Atalanta paid no heed to anything else. With light and murderous steps, she dashed toward the camp like a green shadow.

"Wait..."

Just as d'Eon was about to intervene, a voice came from behind.

"What are you standing there for? Carry out your mission!"

Mounted on Tarasque, Martha charged towards the camp with thunderous footsteps. Passing by d'Eon, she turned back and scolded them.

It seemed even this saintly woman had her impulsive moments.

Reprimanded by Martha, d'Eon's brow furrowed even deeper.

Finally, d'Eon reached a conclusion.

"Never mind."

This was a decision he wouldn't have made without being affected by Mad Enhancement.

If not for Mad Enhancement, the cautious d'Eon with a background in espionage would have definitely not ignored such blatant oddities and wouldn't have acted recklessly.

But now, under the influence of Mad Enhancement, rationality was nearly gone, making d'Eon less cautious than he was in life.

"Executing the mission is paramount."

All that remained in d'Eon's heart was this impulse.

As a result, d'Eon suppressed his inner doubts, raised their Western sword, and charged into the camp.

This single action determined the future of these three Servants.

"Roar!"

As if unable to suppress itself any longer, Tarasque let out a roar that echoed like a stone plunging into a lake, shaking the entire camp.

"They're here!"

"The enemy is here!"

"Quick, inform the marshal!"

The once orderly soldiers of the French army immediately stood up, shouting and taking action without hesitation. They neither recklessly attacked nor displayed any signs of panic; instead, they shouted to each other and began dispersing.

At that moment...

"Retreat!"

Gilles emerged from the main tent and immediately gave a loud order.

"Full retreat!"

A retreat order with no hint of hesitation was given by Gilles.

"Retreat!"

"Retreat!"

Throughout the French army camp, the soldiers swiftly responded as if they had been trained to do so, paying no attention to the three mad killers charging in. They dispersed in all directions.

In this situation, these soldiers conducted their retreat with astonishing efficiency, clearing out the entire camp.

This situation left the trio of Servants momentarily stunned, and madness swirled in their eyes.

"Halt!"

Martha was the first to take action, driving Tarasque to pursue the soldiers and giving chase.

"Don't even think about escaping!"

d'Eon, sword in hand, started sprinting forward.

"Kill!"

Atalanta was the most succinct, roaring softly while raising her bow.

A surge of overwhelming magical energy flowed through the three of them.

What would follow is a one-sided slaughter that left no room for doubt.

How could human soldiers, with their physical abilities, possibly outrun the pursuit of a dragon, the sword dance of a knight, and the arrows of a female hero?

Of course, this assumed someone would just stand by and watch them act.

"Listen! To this magical melody!"

Such a voice resounded throughout the entire camp.

"〈Requiem for Death〉!"

As this name, both unfamiliar and familiar, was unleashed, an indescribable wave of sound swept through the camp like wind and water.

Incredible magical power surged within the soundwaves, piercing into the ears of the three Servants.

"Gurgh...!?"

The most ferocious Atalanta immediately halted, covering her ears and letting out a muffled groan.

"Roar!"

Tarasque, too, let out a restless roar.

"Such an evil sound...!"

Martha, also covering her ears, showed a hint of pain on her face.

Only d'Eon's eyes suddenly narrowed.

"A Requiem...!?"

This was a tune known to everyone in their era.

Although many composers in the past had written pieces titled "Requiem," such as Lasso, Palestrina, and Victoria, mainly for use in special masses to pray for the souls of the departed, if you were to ask about the most famous "Requiem" in history, it was likely that out of ten people, nine of them would think of one person.

"Mozart!"

d'Eon shouted out this name.

After all, this genius musician was a contemporary of d'Eon's, and he was also familiar with the conflicts between Mozart and the royal personages he served. How could d'Eon not recognize him?

"...I didn't expect that the Saber summoned by the enemy would be you."

In response to d'Eon's loud call, the magus appeared from one of the tents in the camp, wielding a conductor's baton, his face showing a mix of sympathy and sarcasm.

"Fate truly plays its games. Let me at least offer you the highest Requiem."

As he spoke, the magical energy surging with the soundwaves grew even more sinister and majestic.

"Ugh...!?"

d'Eon, finally unable to bear it, also covered his ears and emitted a low groan.

In this instant, the power of the trio of Servants became unstable.

This was the effect of Amadeus' Noble Phantasm.

It was said that before his death, Mozart had been tasked by the Grim Reaper to compose the "Requiem," a magical composition.

In other words, unlike the many "Requiems" used in masses, the "Requiem" composed by Mozart was not meant to "summon the heartless Grim Reaper," but rather to "console the compassionate Grim Reaper."

This legend was sublimated into Amadeus' Noble Phantasm.

During the activation of this Noble Phantasm, those who heard the melodies played by Amadeus would undergo magical and luck resistance checks.

If the resistance failed, their physical ability values would forcibly drop by two ranks, and they would continuously suffer damage that ignored magic, abilities, and armor defense.

Even if the resistance succeeded, their ability values would still drop by one rank, and although the damage they suffered would be halved, it would still persist.

Amadeus had unleashed this Noble Phantasm, affecting the ability values of d'Eon, Martha, and Atalanta.

"Now's the time!"

With Amadeus' reminder, the other hidden Servants also revealed themselves from their hiding spots.

As d'Eon looked at the surrounding Servants closing in, he finally understood.

"An ambush..."

Indeed.

They had fallen into an ambush.