-824- Show me your full strength

"Come, let's have a battle!"

When Scáthach made this request, Rozen was completely taken aback.

"A battle?"

Rozen blinked, utterly surprised by the sudden turn of events.

But for Scáthach, it seemed like the most natural thing.

"The best way to enhance your strength is through actual combat. Even if you've completely mastered Rune Magic, without practical experience, you can't claim to wield it proficiently," Scáthach explained.

Indeed, even if you can use something, being adept at it is an entirely different matter. Therefore, practice is always the sole criterion for testing the truth—a timeless principle.

Since Scáthach wanted Rozen to engage in real combat, it was understandable.

However...

"Not limited to Runes, you can use any means at your disposal. Mash can join too. Show me your full strength, Rorelai."

Scáthach said this with an eager tone and expression.

"Miss Scáthach?"

Mash, who was by the side with Fou, exclaimed in surprise.

On the other hand, Rozen, as if understanding something, smiled wryly.

"Do we really have to fight?" Rozen couldn't help but ask, "We're in a situation where we could be attacked by enemies at any moment. Shouldn't we conserve some magical energy?"

In the Northern nation, the Celtic pantheon was undoubtedly an enemy of Rozen and his group. The Southern nation, formed by the Greek pantheon, was also uncertain as allies, especially considering Rozen's direct confrontation with the famous mad god.

In such circumstances, with the indigenous people already annihilated, Rozen's group was in a precarious position.

If they fought each other without reason, needlessly depleting their strength, it would be troublesome when they faced a genuine threat.

Scáthach naturally understood this.

However...

"Overcome such a trivial dilemma. Otherwise, you can't be considered outstanding, let alone the only hope for humanity to traverse four singularities and reach this fifth one."

Scáthach said something quite unreasonable.

Rozen was momentarily dumbfounded.

Perhaps she truly doesn't bother much about such matters or intends to treat it as a form of training. Scáthach slightly raises her twin spears, emanating a pure aura of killing intent.

The sharp eyes, the eager expression, the subtly tense body, and the surging magical power all convey to Rozen that Scáthach is serious.

"This... isn't this too sudden!?"

"Are all Celtic Servants battle maniacs!?"

"...Truly befitting the queen of an otherworld who has slain countless undead, spirits, and even gods."

Even Roman, Olga Marie, and Da Vinci in Chaldea were shouting, panicking, and sighing one after another when they saw the situation here.

"Sigh..."

Even Rozen sighed.

However, Rozen didn't utter a refusal.

Although only three days had passed, in this short time, Rozen had somewhat figured out Scáthach's personality.

This Queen of the Land of Shadow greatly valued talent and possessed rich skills, abilities, knowledge, and wisdom. Coupled with being a queen, she had an inherent aristocratic demeanor that didn't seek to please anyone. She was simultaneously a ruler with a kingly aura, and as a transcendent being, she had high self-confidence and courage. Although she easily got close to those she liked, she could be quite cold to those she didn't favor.

Dealing with such a queen required treating her as two types of people: a teacher and a warrior. Nothing more.

Apart from that, this queen from the foreign land was someone who wouldn't mince her words with others.

So, since Scáthach had made such a decision, no matter what Rozen said, she probably wouldn't listen, right?

"Mash."

So, Rozen addressed Mash directly.

"Be sure to keep a close watch on our surroundings."

Rozen decided not to let Mash join the battle but instead stand guard on the side, just in case.

"Oh, okay."

Mash immediately responded and nodded.

"Fou!"

Fou jumped onto Mash's shoulder, its large eyes staring intently ahead, seemingly ready to watch the battle.

"Well, then..."

Satisfied, Scáthach nodded and raised the spears in her hands. Her entire being exuded a murderous aura, like surging waves, rushing towards Rozen.

"————"

Faced with this overwhelming murderous intent, Rozen's entire body froze in place.

Because she was a God Slayer.

Because she was a transcendent being.

She was completely serious, emitting a murderous aura so terrifying that ordinary people, under such pressure and hostility, would choose flight over fight. This was Scáthach, the eternal Queen of the Land of Shadow.

Rozen once again realized the terror of this undying being, who still lived in the corners of the world. Unconsciously, his magical energy flowed throughout his body, reaching its peak.

In the next moment...

"Here I come!"

Scáthach initiated her attack, her whole person, like a crimson magical spear, shot toward Rozen.

The speed was as fast as a breaking rocket, disturbing the air, turning it into a turbulent flow of pressure, dispersing in all directions.

As a proficient lance user and a Lancer class Servant, Scáthach naturally had the highest level of agility, and her endurance was also high, both at A-rank. Even their strength was at B-rank. She was undoubtedly a top-tier Servant.

When Scáthach thrust the magical spear in her hand, thanks to her transcendent spear technique, any life form would fall before her, including legendary heroes.

In summary...

"I can't let you get close!"

Rozen, using the ability of Mind's Eye to perceive Scáthach's movements, extended his hand as she rushed forward.

"Hum!"

Magical energy gathered at Rozen's fingertips.

In front of himself, Rozen swiftly drew a series of runes in the void.

"Clang!"

Those runes lit up, transforming into tangible effects, manifesting into magical flames.

Consequently, each runic flame turned into a projectile, resembling cannonballs, soaring toward Scáthach's direction.

Moreover, the firing speed was extremely rapid. From Mash's perspective, she could only see several flashes of red, followed by the clusters of flame landing on Scáthach who was charging forward.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! ————!"

Explosions resounded continuously.

The flame clusters evaporated the air, exploded on the ground, and the flames spread like waves, expanding.

However, watching Scáthach being hit by his own magic, Rozen didn't show joy but rather surprise. His expression stiffened, and without hesitation, he once again opened his fingertips, drawing a runic script in the air.

"Woosh!"

Almost simultaneously, a magical spear flashed from Scáthach's side, thrusting directly towards Rozen.

"Splush!"

Under an unusual sound, Rozen's body was pierced by the magical spear.

Rozen's expression became vacant.