-810- A battle different from the past

Once, in the singularity of Fuyuki City, Rozen and Mash faced Berserker in a battle.

In that battle, Rozen narrowly escaped death multiple times, and Mash was consistently overwhelmed by Berserker. Even in their eventual victory, it came at a considerable cost, far from being a glorious triumph.

Certainly, defeating a hero of Berserker's caliber in battle is already an extremely honorable feat.

However, during that encounter, Berserker's Noble Phantasm was depleted, robbing him of the Servant's proudest trump card. Despite still possessing formidable strength, the threat was significantly diminished compared to his prime.

At that time, Rozen had not fully matured, and Mash had not yet mastered the power of the Servant within her. Facing a Berserker with diminished threats, their victory was still a challenging and risky one. It's evident that against Berserker in his prime, they would have had no chance.

Now, Berserker in his full glory stood before Rozen and Mash.

And Rozen and Mash...

"We're no longer the same."

This thought echoed simultaneously in both of their minds.

Thus, even Mash, who disliked combat, found herself filled with a strong determination at this moment, just like Rozen.

Facing an opponent they had once narrowly defeated, both saw this battle as a proof of their own growth.

"Roar!"

Berserker released a thunderous roar, descending toward them like a heavy meteor, creating friction with the air.

However...

"Boom!"

With a resounding explosion, an invisible force suddenly erupted from Berserker, knocking him backward.

It was a projectile formed purely from telekinesis.

Watching Berserker descending with imminent force, Rozen unleashed his telekinetic power, blasting Berserker away and halting his descent.

"Mash!"

Only then did Rozen infuse magical energy into Mash.

Just like manipulating an automaton in the world of automaton, Rozen didn't release an astonishing amount of magical power. However, leveraging the power of "Mind's Eye," Rozen guided the magical energy he released along an enigmatic trajectory. This immediately stirred the magical energy in the atmosphere, also known as ambient mana or Od, forming a massive surge of magical power that flowed into Mash's body.

"Yes!"

Mash immediately responded loudly, her eyes filled with determination. Her body was now surging with an incredible power she could never have possessed before.

In this moment, with the astounding technique that Rozen, as a Master, couldn't replicate, Mash utilized the full extent of the Servant power within her. Her strength skyrocketed to the limit of her Saint Graph.

Carrying this power, Mash launched a fierce charge towards the Berserker, who had been sent flying.

"Haa!"

Mash's battle cry was no less powerful than Berserker's roar. Like the wind, she swiftly approached Berserker, raised her heavy shield, and collided head-on.

"Boom!"

In a resounding clash, Mash's shield heavily struck Berserker, sending him flying once again.

"Roar!"

Berserker let out an angry roar. His massive body bounced on the ground like a ball several times before finally stabilizing. Then, he abruptly surged up again, charging towards Mash.

This hero truly lives up to the formidable opponent who has instilled fear in Rozen and Mash since the past, displaying unparalleled prowess in close combat. His blade skills defy his massive stature, exhibiting speed that contradicts his size, instantly reaching Mash and delivering a thunderous strike with his axe-sword.

"Clang!"

In a bell-like astonishing sound, the axe-sword fiercely struck the heavy shield, creating shockwaves akin to a violent storm, shaking the surroundings.

However, Mash skillfully withstood this fearsome blow.

Soon after...

"Boom!"

Once again, invisible telekinetic force erupted around Berserker.

"Roar!"

Berserker emitted a roar, a mixture of anger and pain.

"Ha!"

Mash suddenly stepped forward, not retreating but advancing. Once again, her shield struck Berserker.

"Boom!"

In the second clash, the heavy shield hit Berserker, causing him to roll backward, leaving footprints on the ground.

Through perfect coordination, Rozen and Mash were no longer unilaterally overwhelmed by Berserker as they were initially.

Moreover, they had reached a point where they could overpower Berserker in a direct blade-to-blade fight, forcing him to retreat.

Berserker continued to roar, swinging his axe-sword like a violent storm or typhoon. With each swing, bursts of air and forceful flows created an atmosphere filled with flying debris and sword glints.

Facing this ferocious and relentless assault, Mash chose not to block forcefully this time. Instead, as if she could predict all of Berserker's attack trajectories, her figure was like a shadow, steps like an illusion, evading all of Berserker's attacks.

This was the result of Rozen's "Mind's Eye."

In Rozen's eyes, Berserker's frenzied attacks appeared as distinct and clear white lights, allowing him to see every trajectory and path of the axe-sword's strikes.

In this situation, Rozen guided Mash through the flow of magic by injecting magical energy into her. This was similar to manipulating an automaton, though it wasn't as simple as injecting magic into the Servant's body. It required a deep bond of trust and reliance, something that Rozen and Mash abundantly possessed.

Thus, Mash didn't resist even a bit against the flow of magical energy within her. Following Rozen's will, she handed her body entirely to him, allowing Rozen to guide her with magical energy. No longer relying on verbal commands as before, Rozen's magical energy conveyed instructions to Mash, enabling her to instinctively react without falling behind the Servant's speed.

Of course, this wasn't something easily achievable. Without the bond of the contract and profound trust, it would be impossible.

Between Rozen and Mash, trust and reliance were abundant.

Therefore, Mash followed Rozen's will without any resistance, avoiding Berserker's wild attacks completely.

Then...

"————————!"

Standing in the rear, Rozen suddenly formed hand seals and chanted a mantra.

It was the incantation for "Immovable Golden Chain," an invisible binding spell that restrains both the body and spirit of the enemy.

"Roar!"

Berserker, who was in the midst of a fierce attack, suddenly felt his body pressed down by an invisible force, rendering him completely unable to move.

"Roar!"

Berserker roared in anger or pain. Using his monstrous strength alone, he forcibly tore apart the binding spell of "Immovable Golden Chain."

However...

"Now is the time!"

Rozen's eyes gleamed, and his magical energy surged through his entire body, transforming into pure telekinesis, empowering Mash's shield.

"Hum!"

In the trembling sound, an invisible blade of telekinetic force emerged from the front of Mash's shield.

It was the power of "Magic Resilience."

"Haaaah!"

Mash shouted loudly as she raised her shield high. Like a giant blade, she thrust the telekinetic blade from the shield's front.

"Splurt!"

Amidst the sound of tearing flesh, Berserker's heart was ruthlessly pierced, spraying out countless streams of blood.