-199- [ King ] against [ King ]

Perhaps no one noticed this place?

In a secluded area seemingly far from the chaos of the battlefield, Marie and d'Eon met each other. Marie wore an anticipatory smile, while d'Eon approached with emotions seemingly erased.

Looking at the familiar knight before her, Marie asked curiously.

"Why did you know I would be here?"

This was Marie's question.

The answer she received, however, was surprisingly simple.

"Because I know how much you detest war."

Although his hostility remained, d'Eon truthfully responded to Marie's question.

"You dislike war, and you hate combat, yet you cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people. That's who you are. So, I knew that if it were you, you wouldn't directly appear on the battlefield. You'd stay in the rear and the periphery until it's necessary to step in."

Is this something only d'Eon would be able to figure out.

"So, you came to find me?"

Marie didn't feel disheartened for being seen through in her actions. Instead, she seemed delighted that someone had been watching her continuously, understanding her. She spoke with such openness.

"I thought you'd use your Noble Phantasm to counter Amadeus."

This statement proved that Mary also had some understanding of d'Eon.

Understanding d'Eon's abilities, particularly his Noble Phantasm.

But this understanding was mutual.

"With you here, even if I use my Noble Phantasm, it won't be effective in the end, right?"

D'Eon responded directly.

In general, in battles between Servants, unless true names are revealed, it's difficult to know what kind of Noble Phantasms the other side might use. It's even harder to anticipate and prepare against them.

However, for Marie and d'Eon, this situation was obviously different.

They had a pre-existing connection in life, knew each other's true names, and were familiar with each other's abilities. Naturally, they understood the effects of each other's Noble Phantasms.

[ Fleur de Lis (the Lavish Blooming Lily) ]

That was d'Eon's Noble Phantasm.

Sublimating his style of confusing people to achieve his goal, it developed into this Noble Phantasm.

It could unfurl the great wheel of White lily, symbolizing France, to bewilder the enemy ranks. This would decrease the enemy's strength, endurance, agility, and other stats. It could even judge based on luck level. If the judgment was successful, the opponent would be immobilized for a round. It was a Noble Phantasm of the same type as Amadeus's, albeit without any damage-dealing effects.

This Noble Phantasm was ranked C+ and naturally belonged to the anti-army category. Once it was deployed on this battlefield, it would certainly counter the effects of Amadeus's Noble Phantasm.

It was precisely because of this that d'Eon had considered using this Noble Phantasm in the battle at the camp. It would decrease the abilities of both sides, thus neutralizing the difference in combat power between them.

Unfortunately, last time, d'Eon didn't get a chance to use this Noble Phantasm. Even if he had used it, it wouldn't have been effective.

Because d'Eon was well aware that the Noble Phantasm of the queen he had sworn allegiance to in life was his weakness.

"[ Guillotine Breaker (Glory to the Crown of Lillies) ]."

That was Marie's Noble Phantasm's true name.

It was a Noble Phantasm representing the glorious royal authority of France. Its appearance was a beautiful glass horse bearing the emblem of the French royal crest (the fleur de lis).

This horse was Marie's Rider manifestation, her mount. By releasing its true name, just like how Martha summoned her dragon, she could summon this glass horse. While galloping, it would scatter radiant particles of light across the battlefield, dealing damage to opponents who opposed royal authority.

If it were just that, d'Eon wouldn't have abandoned the idea of using his Noble Phantasm.

The problem is that Marie's Noble Phantasm not only inflicts damage, but it also removes negative effects from allies, restoring their health and mana.

Once d'Eon uses his Noble Phantasm to weaken the French forces, Marie will undoubtedly use her Noble Phantasm to remove any negative status effects from her side.

However, the issue arises because Marie's Noble Phantasm is of A+ rank in the anti-army category, a grade far above d'Eon's Noble Phantasm. Therefore, in the confrontation between the two, d'Eon's Noble Phantasm would inevitably prove ineffective.

Consequently, d'Eon can't just casually use his Noble Phantasm.

"Even if I'm going to use it, I have to defeat you first."

D'Eon picked up his sword.

"Then I'll offer a song for everyone."

Marie showed no fear and continued to smile.

Even without summoning her mount, Mary still had means of combat.

That was Mary's inherent skill, "Siren Song."

It's a charming-type skill that can charm enemies and also serves as a declaration of royal authority. As a manifestation of royalty and a symbol of authority in the real world, Mary only needs to sing to deal magical damage to opponents who oppose royal authority.

In other words, just like Amadeus, Mary also uses music as a medium to cast magic.

In this obscure and secluded area, two guardians of royalty were facing each other, their swordplay and singing beginning to resonate.

...

On the battlefield, the melee combat raged on.

The soldiers of the French army, together with the summoned pack of Demon wolves, launched an attack against the wyvern corps weakened by Amadeus's Noble Phantasm. Roars, howls, cries, and screams resounded throughout Orleans. The echoes were accompanied by the sounds of gunfire and explosions.

In such a battlefield, battles between Servants were undoubtedly the most brutal and magnificent.

Vlad III charged directly at Kiyohime. He transformed into shadows, bats, mist, and released iron stakes, displaying a remarkably stunning combat prowess.

At first, Kiyohime managed to keep up, but she gradually began to falter and had to resort to using her Noble Phantasm. She transformed into a large snake spewing flames, engaging in a fierce battle against Vlad III.

Elizabeth and Carmilla engaged in an even more brutal struggle.

One held a magical lance, the other brandished her claws. They both abandoned ranged attacks, choosing instead to fight in close combat with intense hatred, leaving traces of blood on each other's bodies. They fought without a care to their surroundings.

In the face of this situation, Amadeus played his part wholeheartedly, pushing the power of his Noble Phantasm to the limit.

Meanwhile, in the distance, the battle between Marie and d'Eon had also intensified, the sounds of their fierce combat drifting towards the direction of the battlefield.

At this moment, Orleans had undoubtedly become the most intense battlefield in the world.

So, at this time, where was Rozen?

The answer was about to be revealed.

Now that it was army against army, and commander against commander, the next natural step was king against king.

And so...

"As I thought, you're here."

When Rozen arrived at the audience hall of the central square castle in Orleans, the one he was facing was undoubtedly their greatest enemy.

"It's quite the feat for you to come here."

In the audience hall, Jeanne Alter stood in front of the throne, amazed.

Of course, neither of them was alone.

Beside Rozen were Mash and Jeanne.

Beside Jeanne Alter stood Caster.

"Saint..."

Caster looked at Jeanne with a pained expression.

"Dragon Witch..."

Mash regarded Jeanne Alter with caution.

Jeanne looked at Caster and then at her other self, saying nothing.

"Woosh!"

With that, the banner representing France unfolded in Jeanne Alter's hand, fluttering in the wind.