-196- Now it's up to all of you

Perhaps, due to the experiences during this period, many people might feel that a long time has passed.

However, in reality, if you count carefully, it was just the day before yesterday when Rozen and the French army attacked Orleans together, encountered Jeanne Alter and Jeanne within Orleans, and ultimately escaped from Caster's hands with Jeanne.

In other words, it had been only two days since Rozen last visited Orleans.

However, Rozen didn't have much time for reflection.

As he gazed upon the city emitting an even denser atmosphere of solemnity, Rozen's thoughts were focused on just one thing at this moment.

"This time, I won't lose again."

Saying that, Rozen turned his head and looked behind him.

There, everyone stood together, ready and waiting in formation.

"Orleans..."

Jeanne tightened her grip on the holy flag, her gaze fixed on the city with which she had a deep connection. A ripple of emotion stirred in her eyes.

It wasn't just Jeanne; even Gilles stared intently, surely feeling a great deal of sentiment.

At this moment, the others were no longer as boisterous as before.

"We've finally returned here."

"Last time, we helped Jeanne infiltrate. We've been supporting from the shadows, but this time, we can finally launch a direct attack."

Mary and Amadeus each made such statements.

"Is she over there?"

Elizabeth stared intently in the direction of Orleans, her little face serious.

Even Kiyohime's usually composed expression grew tense.

"So many wyverns..."

Just as Kiyohime said, the number of wyverns soaring above Orleans was staggering.

"Compared to when we attacked last time, there are probably five times more... no, at least ten times more."

Mash's tone was full of tension, clearly worried about the situation.

In this situation, Romani surprisingly provided reassurance.

"There's indeed a gathering of numerous life signals and mana reactions in Orleans, far more than what we faced before. But on the contrary, the nearby life signals and mana reactions have almost disappeared. It's likely that the 'Dragon Witch' has recalled all the wyverns from within France to deal with the threat here."

In other words...

"All the threats and anomalies in this Singularity are concentrated in that city."

Romani spoke with utmost seriousness.

"As long as the attack succeeds and we defeat the 'Dragon Witch,' the event will come to a complete end, and both France and this era will be saved."

Conversely, if they fail, everything will be lost.

Is this what Romani wanted to convey?

An immediate sense of tension emanated from all the Servants, but it also ignited their determination.

Including Rozen.

"It can't get any better than this."

Rozen firmly declared without wavering.

After all...

"This is a chance to settle things once and for all. We can't afford to let it slip away."

Rozen cast his gaze upon everyone present.

"The outcome hangs in the balance; now it's up to all of you."

Rozen's words were met with smiles from everyone.

And then...

"Let's begin from our side."

Gilles drew the longsword at his waist and pointed it forward.

"Charge!"

With Gilles's resounding cry, the soldiers behind him, one by one, raised their voices in a battle cry.

"Ooooooh!"

Amid the soldiers' cries, Rozen touched the Command Seal on the back of his right hand and his lips curled into a faint smile.

"Alright, it's time for me to give it my all."

As he said this, the Command Seal on the back of Rozen's right hand started to glow.

The second stroke of the Command Seal gradually faded in Rozen's hand, transforming into surging magical energy that filled his circuits.

The battle began.

...

"Ooooooh!"

As the soldiers' cries echoed, on the vast plains before Orleans, a scene reminiscent of an army of thousands emerged.

Soldiers wielding weapons and riding horses surged forward, their cries mingling with the rolling dust as they charged towards Orleans. The sight was reminiscent of a stampeding herd.

At first glance, this scene seemed similar to the French army's attack on Orleans two days ago, with little difference.

However, after a two-day interval, both sides had undergone significant changes.

The French army's forces had been diminished by more than half due to continuous fighting over the past two days, suffering heavy casualties and losing their former strength.

On the other hand, the wyvern legion had increased significantly in number due to the recall of all the wyverns from within France. Compared to two days ago, their numbers had grown substantially.

Additionally, since regular soldiers were not match for Phantasmal species to begin with, the French army's attack seemed foolhardy, bordering on suicidal, if there were no further changes in the situation.

"[ Requiem for Death ]!"

The voice of the Servant releasing his Noble Phantasm's True Names resonated like a phantom breeze.

In the next moment, a solemn yet sinister melody transformed into invisible sound waves that reverberated throughout the battlefield.

"Roar!"

Amidst the overwhelming roar, the wyverns descending from the sky abruptly faltered and let out painful roars.

"This is a Requiem dedicated to the God of Death. Even though I have doubts about whether the wyverns can appreciate this magnificent melody, today is a special performance you won't want to miss."

Amadeus stood at the rear of the battlefield, baton in hand, alternating between a light chuckle and a continuous performance.

Under the effect of his Noble Phantasm, even Servants couldn't escape the drop in their attributes. They would also suffer ongoing damage. Naturally a mere wyvern horde were no exception.

As a result, the wyverns, wracked with agony, not only emitted painful roars but also had their strength significantly weakened.

Taking advantage of the valiant and malevolent sound waves, the soldiers of the French army charged towards the wyvern horde.

"Boom...!"

From the rear, artillery shells were launched, landing in the midst of the dragon horde, causing waves of fire to erupt, sending groups of wyverns tumbling.

Meanwhile...

"Summon Giant Wolves!"

Countless magic circles spread across the entire battlefield, forming gateways that connected to one's soul.

"Howl!"

Amidst the resounding howls, massive demon wolves emerged from the magic circles, appearing on the battlefield.

The number of demon wolves was immense, nearly matching that of the wyverns.

With glowing eyes, they moved with agility and nimbleness, pouncing on the wyverns with swift strides.

The wyvern horde, writhing in pain, had no time to react.

"----!"

Instantly, claws tore through dragon scales.

"----!"

Instantly, fangs pierced through scaly hides.

One after another, the demon wolves lunged at the wyverns, ruthlessly biting and tearing into them.

"Roar!"

Amidst the pained dragon roars, blood stained the ground.