The dizzying sensation of the Rayshift gradually faded, replaced by a gentle breeze brushing against their faces. The Chaldea team had materialized smoothly in a vast, lush grassland bordered by a scattered line of trees.
"Transition complete. We've arrived safely, Senpai," Mash reported, checking the spatial indicators on her wrist. "According to the coordinates, we are in France, 1431 AD right in the middle of the Hundred Years' War. Though, historically speaking, this specific year is supposed to be a period of truce."
"DAMN IT!" Archer's sudden, furious curse shattered the tranquility. He was glaring daggers at the sky, his expression taut.
Following the red-clad Servant's gaze, the rest of the group looked up. Looming directly above the clouds was a colossal ring of light. It was impossibly massive, resembling a cosmic black hole that hung ominously in the heavens, silently radiating an unnatural, burning aura onto the land below.
"I'm fairly certain a ring of light the size of North America was never recorded in any history book," Fujimaru commented, their tone dry and sarcastic.
"Of course it wasn't! There's no way something that crazy is normal!" Cú Chulainn scoffed, casually resting his crimson spear on his shoulder. He glanced at his Master. "So, what's the plan, Master?"
"Our first priority is intelligence gathering," Fujimaru replied tactically. "In an unknown anomaly like this, information is our most vital asset. We can't afford to move recklessly until we know exactly what is."
Fujimaru stepped forward. "Mass Fly!" he chanted swiftly.
In an instant, their bodies lifted off the ground, suspended in the air. With startling speed, the group soared across the sky, heading directly toward the troops they had spotted in the distance. They soon touched down near a fortress or rather, the devastated ruins of what used to be one. Shattered foundation stones littered the ground, and the defensive walls had completely caved in, leaving behind only the grim, decaying remnants of a brutal war.
"Take these," Fujimaru said, pulling several shoulder bags from his spatial storage. "From here on out, we are disguising ourselves as a traveling merchant troupe. Use these to play the part."
He proceeded to pull out an assortment of mundane goods to fill the bags. They were cheap, utterly worthless items the absolute lowest-tier loot from within his collection. There was nothing magical or luxurious about them; just basic, everyday wares that perfectly sold the illusion of a humble disguise.
"I will handle all the talking," Fujimaru continued, his voice shifting into a steady, commanding tone. "Do not speak unless I explicitly tell you to. Archer, Rider, the two of you are on overwatch. Stay in their blind spots and monitor the troops' movements closely. I will contact you via the 'Message' spell if I need to relay any further instructions."
Archer and Medusa nodded silently, instantly melting into the shadows of the ruins to fulfill their roles. With his vanguard set, Fujimaru strode forward with quiet confidence, leading the rest of his team through the ruined gates of the fortress. A chilling silence enveloped them immediately. The only sound breaking the quiet was the crunch of their footsteps against the shattered stone, amplifying the heavy, tense atmosphere of the ancient battlefield.
They touched down a few hundred meters from the gates and proceeded the rest of the way on foot. However, as soon as they approached the fortress entrance, a squad of heavily armored soldiers intercepted them with drawn weapons.
"Halt! Who are you and where do you come from? What is your business at these ruins?" one of the soldiers interrogated, his gaze sharp and suspicious.
"We are sheepskin merchants from Poland," Fujimaru answered smoothly, without missing a beat. "These two is our guide and our guard. Please, let us take shelter. We were attacked by the Dragon Witch's forces last night. We couldn't see clearly in the dark, and though their numbers were few, they wielded incredibly strange weapons."
The soldier narrowed his eyes, lowering his spear tip slightly. "And what exactly is inside those bags?"
"They contain basic rations, medical supplies, and the remainder of our wares," Fujimaru explained with a calm, reassuring tone.
"I see... Very well, you may enter," the soldier said, signaling his men to clear the way.
As soon as they stepped inside and moved out of earshot, Fujimaru silently cast a spell and whispered telepathically, 'Message! Archer, what is the situation out there?'
'Not good,' Archer's voice echoed in their mind. 'A horde of skeletons and a Wyvern are approaching rapidly. They'll be here in five minutes. Furthermore, another force led by several Servants is also closing in from a different direction. They don't seem hostile, though; they're carrying banners bearing the crest of France.' Despite his initial surprise, Archer's tone had quickly returned to its usual calm and analytical state.
'I see. Let them approach,' Fujimaru replied with a firm directive.
'Understood!' Archer affirmed, and the telepathic link was severed.
Their attention was suddenly drawn to the sound of armored footsteps approaching from within the camp.
"I am Gilles de Rais, defense commander under the banner of Jeanne d'Arc. To get straight to the point, we wish to purchase your medical supplies and provisions," the man greeted.
His appearance was strikingly out of place amidst the filthy ruins. He wore flawless white armor with elegant light green accents, exuding a pristine, almost holy aura. His gauntlets and greaves projected sheer martial strength, while a long, flowing surcoat worn over his armor added a touch of nobility.
The design of his armor was immaculately structured, featuring refined, intricate details. His black hair was tied back neatly, framing a resolute face that radiated unwavering determination and deep integrity. Just standing there, his commanding presence seemed to transform the ruined fortress into a grand, sacred cathedral.
"Very well, we accept," Fujimaru said, stepping forward to represent the group. "But in exchange, you must provide us with information. In times like these, intelligence is a merchant's most valuable asset."
Gilles de Rais nodded slowly, respecting their shrewdness. "Agreed. What is it that you wish to know?"
"The last time we passed through the French borders, there were no rumors of any entity called the Dragon Witch," Fujimaru inquired, wearing a convincing expression of merchant-like curiosity.
Gilles' face instantly darkened, overshadowed by a mix of profound sorrow and bitterness. "It all began a few weeks ago. While we were fighting desperately for France, the English forces burned Jeanne d'Arc at the stake. We were consumed by fury and fought back with everything we had. But a few days later... she returned."
Gilles clenched his fists tightly. "Her eyes burned with a blazing hatred, and her skin was as pale as a corpse. She had become the Dragon Witch no longer the Holy Maiden we knew and loved. With her dark powers, she drove back the English and burned King Charles alive. City after city was reduced to ash, and the Dragon Witch now holds absolute dominion over Orleans. We are incredibly fortunate that this city remains as our last standing fortress."
Gilles' expression then softened slightly, radiating a glimmer of hope. "However, a miracle occurred a few days ago. The true Jeanne d'Arc the saint we actually know appeared once more to defend this city. She arrived with her trusted commander and incredibly reliable comrades. Seeing her, we realized that the Dragon Witch who burned King Charles is nothing but an imposter."
Gilles looked ahead with pride. "Now, the true Jeanne d'Arc has begun leading counter-offensives. She is spearheading expeditions to reclaim the ruined cities and purge the enemies from our lands. Although the inhabitants of those cities are long dead, at least their homes are being cleansed of the monsters' desecration. Her expeditionary force should be returning soon."
"And... what about that giant object in the sky?" Fujimaru interrupted, gesturing upward.
Gilles furrowed his brow, looking at Fujimaru with genuine confusion. "Object in the sky? Hasn't that ring of light always been there since the beginning?"
That answer caused the Chaldea team to exchange subtle glances. It was clear the Singularity's distortion had completely rewritten the local population's perception of reality.
Just as Fujimaru was about to press further, the frantic sound of running footsteps and shouts from outside shattered the conversation.
"Enemies at the gates! Prepare for battle!" a guard screamed hoarsely. The fortress troops immediately scrambled outside with weapons drawn.
"If there is anything we can do to help, just say the word," Fujimaru offered with a firmness that betrayed their merchant disguise.
Gilles looked back and scoffed dismissively. "What are you talking about? You're not even properly armed! Don't throw your lives away for nothing!"
"Don't worry. My guide knows a little bit of basic magic, and my guard here is quite strong," Fujimaru replied calmly, playing into the role.
"Do as you wish," Gilles replied pessimistically, drawing his sword. "If you can manage to take down even a few of them, that would be more than enough."
As the battle broke out beyond the gates, the Chaldea team made their move. Sticking to their cover, they held back significantly. Mash smashed a skeleton's skull to pieces using the blunt face of her massive shield. Nearby, Cú Chulainn lazily cast a few low-tier fire Runes just enough to incinerate a cluster of skeletons without looking too extraordinarily powerful.
However, the minor skirmish instantly grew tense when a terrified scream erupted from the French ranks. Diving sharply from the gray clouds above, a massive winged shadow descended upon them. A Wyvern had arrived.
"A dragon!" one of the soldiers screamed, triggering an instant wave of panic. The troops' formation immediately wavered, with several men turning to flee.
"Hey, Master. Is that winged beast really a dragon?" Cú Chulainn asked, his eyes narrowing in alert assessment.
"No, it's a Wyvern. Don't let your guard down," Fujimaru replied with unshakable calm.
Suddenly, a clear, authoritative voice sliced through the chaos. "Troops, douse yourselves in water! It will help mitigate the burns from its fire! Those of you who can still hold a weapon, follow me!"
The shout came from a short-haired blonde girl with resolute blue eyes. She was clad in lightweight silver armor that shone brightly under the overcast sky. Waving a sacred banner in her hand, she charged directly toward the descending Wyvern without a single ounce of fear.
"Mash, protect her!" Fujimaru commanded swiftly. "Cú Chulainn, aim for its eyes! Slow! Haste! Lesser Strength! Lesser Dexterity!"
Empowered by his Master's rapid-fire buffs, Cú Chulainn smirked. "Ansuz!" A blazing sphere of fire shot from the tip of his staff, detonating squarely in the beast's face.
The Wyvern shrieked in agony, its vision completely scorched. Blinded and desperate, the monster thrashed wildly, swinging its massive claws blindly at the blonde girl. However, Mash moved like lightning, leaping into the fray and bracing her massive cross-shield to absorb the fatal impact.
Capitalizing on the opening Mash had created, the girl leaped into the air and drove the tip of her flagpole directly into the Wyvern's heart, ending the beast with a single, decisive strike. The creature collapsed heavily to the ground.
"We... managed to take it down," Mash exhaled, lowering her shield as she caught her breath.
The blonde girl pulled her weapon free and turned to face them. Her body clearly showed the weariness of a long journey, and her armor was stained with the dust of battle, yet she stood tall with a dignified posture. Her serious expression softened, radiating a genuine, gentle grace.
"Ruler, Jeanne d'Arc. You have my deepest gratitude for your assistance," she said, bowing her head slightly in respect. "Welcome to the city of Vaucouleurs. Please forgive the poor reception; we have only just returned from our first expedition."
Though her body clearly bore the heavy exhaustion of a long expedition, Jeanne remained standing tall with unwavering confidence. Her light silver armor reflected the dim light of the overcast sky, while her expression was a blend of a commander's sternness and a young girl's gentleness a perfect reflection of the ironclad resolve within her heart.
"Even though I was summoned under the Ruler class, I must confess that I know very little about this current Holy Grail War," Jeanne admitted, her tone tinged with slight concern. "I am missing the vast majority of the crucial information and authority I should possess as an overseer. Furthermore, I am far from my peak condition I have no Anti-Servant Command Spells, and my eyes cannot access the True Names of other Servants."
Jeanne offered a faint, self-deprecating smile, attempting to lighten the mood. "Well, at the very least, I was still granted the ability to speak fluent French, and capable using Noble Phantasm."
She then looked at Fujimaru and the rest of the group with genuine sincerity. "If you would be so kind, please tell me your names. I wish to properly know the ones who came to my aid."
Name: Jeanne d'Arc
Class: Ruler
Attribute: Star
Gender: Female
Alignment: Lawful Good
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (EX Rank): At this rank, Jeanne cannot be wounded even by magecraft from the Age of Gods. However, this resistance only turns spells away from her. In other words, it doesn't negate them.
Reinstatement of the Radiant Holy Light (A Rank) [Sealed]: When summoned as a Ruler, status information such as the true identity, Skills, and Parameters is automatically revealed when she directly encounters a Servant. However, Servants with hiding capacity depend on her luck level to bypass this.
God's Resolution (A Rank) [Sealed]: As a privilege of the Ruler Class, she has two Command Spells that can be used for each Servant participating in the Holy Grail War. However, she cannot re-purpose other Command Spells that had been previously used.
Personal Skills:
At the End of the Pure and Clear Prayers (EX Rank): A Skill equivalent to "Instinct". Instinct is a sixth sense regarding battles, but "At the End of the Pure and Clear Prayers" accommodates all matters related to the achievement of a goal. Because there is no basis, it cannot be explained well to others.
Charisma (C Rank): The natural talent to command an army. Jeanne's figure participating in the assaults hoisting a flag raised the morale of the soldiers to the limit and united the troops. Thanks to her charisma, it is possible to make others believe in the contents of the "At the End of the Pure and Clear Prayers" without basis.
Saint (B Rank): Indicates being acknowledged as a saint. When summoned as a Servant, the ability of this Skill is selected from one out of the following: raising the effectiveness of sacraments, automatic HP recovery, 1 Rank-Up to Charisma, or production of a holy shroud is possible.
Stats:
Strength B | Endurance B | Agility A | Mana A | Luck C | NP A++
Noble Phantasm:
Luminosité Eternelle: God is Here With Me (Barrier A Rank):
By brandishing her holy flag, she converts her EX-rank Magic Resistance skill into an equally powerful defense that blocks all physical attacks. It is the crystallization of the legend of Jeanne d'Arc waving her flag on the battlefield and fighting to the very end with hardly any wounds.
La Pucelle: The Crimson Holy Maiden
A conceptual crystallization weapon interpreted as her burning at the stake in an attack-like fashion. It is a variant of Reality Marble that crystallizes the mental landscape of the user into a sword in the form of flames. In exchange for her life, she gains access to pure destructive power that cannot be calculated, which allows her to annihilate anything in existence. However, these flames only destroy that which she considers a dangerous threat that must be destroyed. In other words, this Noble Phantasm cannot be used against simply a strong enemy or out of emotions like hate.
Fujimaru stepped forward, slowly dropping their merchant disguise while adjusting the long coat draped over them. "My name is Fujimaru, and I am a Master. With me is Mash, and this is our Servant, Caster."
Jeanne was slightly taken aback, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "A Master? So there actually is a human Master participating in this anomalous Holy Grail War?" she asked, her curiosity undeniably piqued.
"Not exactly. We are not directly involved with the Holy Grail War of this era," Mash interjected quickly. Her voice was firm, the profound seriousness of their mission reflecting clearly in her eyes.
Jeanne nodded slowly, trying to process the information. Her gaze drifted for a moment as she pondered the sheer complexity of the situation, before she blinked and snapped out of her reverie.
"Ah, please forgive my rudeness. Given the assistance you just provided, I almost forgot to introduce my comrades in arms," Jeanne said with a warm smile. "It seems they have just caught up to us."
Turning toward the fortress gates, she gave a welcoming wave of her hand. From the settling dust of the battlefield, the silhouettes of her allies stepped forward to join them.
Name: Siegfried
Class: Saber
Attribute: Earth
Gender: Male
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (—): This skill has been entirely forfeited as compensation for acquiring his Noble Phantasm, Armor of Fafnir.
Riding (B Rank): The expertise to ride mounts and operate vehicles. At this rank, he can handle most mundane vehicles and beasts of burden with above-average proficiency. However, Phantasmal Species, such as Magical Beasts and Holy Beasts, are beyond his ability to tame and cannot be ridden.
Personal Skills:
Dragon-Slayer (A++ Rank): A specialized Skill bestowed upon those who have successfully felled a member of the Dragon Kind. It drastically amplifies both his offensive and defensive capabilities when facing draconic enemies. Rather than a heaven-sent martial talent, it is the literal crystallization of his legendary anecdote as a dragon slayer made manifest as a Skill.
Avaricious Gold (A Rank): Represents his acquisition of the legendary Nibelung treasure. While it promises a lifetime of boundless wealth, it comes at the steep conceptual cost of constantly decreasing his overall Luck parameter. The hoard manifests as the hidden Noble Phantasm Das Rheingold, which carries the perilous risk of accidentally summoning the evil dragon Fafnir alongside it.
Disengage (A Rank): The tactical ability to seamlessly withdraw from the battlefield or reset the current state of combat. Engaging this skill restores his combat conditions and techniques to their initial values, while simultaneously and forcibly purging various negative status ailments that have been inflicted upon him.
Stats:
Strength B | Endurance B | Agility A | Mana A | Luck C | NP A++
Noble Phantasm:
Armor of Fafnir: Blood Armor of the Evil Dragon (Anti-Unit B+ Rank):
A continuously active, conceptual armor formed by bathing in the blood of the slain evil dragon. It completely negates all incoming physical and magical attacks of B-Rank and below. If struck by a standard A-Rank attack, the impact is heavily mitigated, registering as merely an E-Rank strike. When subjected to an enemy's Noble Phantasm, the armor's defensive threshold rises to B+. However, if he is struck by a weapon or Skill possessing an "Anti-Dragon" property, this defensive bonus is bypassed.
Balmung: Phantasmal Greatsword - Felling of the Sky Demon (Anti-Army EX Rank)
Greatsword Balmung, able to unleash a wide-range attack that displays its true worth against an army, while also inflicting additional damage on those with the dragon attribute. The blue jewel encased in the hilt of the sword contains mana from the Age of Gods, and it is possible to pull out the sword's power to the maximum with just a small quantity of it. His sword's accumulation of mana is overwhelmingly faster than that of an average Anti-Army Noble Phantasm.
Das Rheingold
An unending mountain of treasure that both provides great wealth and curses its owner with great misfortune.
"Saber, Siegfried," Jeanne introduced a tall, imposing man with silver hair that shimmered like fresh snow.
He wore an elegant yet incredibly sturdy set of silver plate armor. Strapped to his back was a massive, Phantasmal greatsword that exuded a heavy, mystical aura. The exposed portions of his skin were darkened and hardened, resembling brown dragon scales.
Hearing his name, Siegfried stepped forward calmly. Even though his very stance radiated an aura of absolute invulnerability, making him look as though his body alone was a fortress impervious to any attack, his demeanor was surprisingly contrary to his fierce appearance.
"I am Saber-class, Siegfried," he spoke in a calm, polite baritone, bowing his head respectfully toward Fujimaru and Mash. "I must apologize for our late arrival. I am truly sorry that you had to take on that Wyvern in our stead. It is a disgrace as a knight to allow others to face danger when I could have prevented it. Forgive me."
Cú Chulainn let out a low whistle, his eyes fixed on the massive sword and the scales on the man's body. "That's some terrifying aura you've got there. You're a real dragon slayer, huh? With that sky-felling sword and dragon-blood armor, it looks like our fights against these flying lizards are going to be a lot easier from now on."
"You praise me too much," Siegfried replied, his tone flat but entirely sincere as he met Cú Chulainn's gaze. "This strength of mine is merely a tool left over from the past, and the curse I carry on my back keeps me far from being perfect."
Siegfried then turned his attention back to Fujimaru, his eyes reflecting the deep loyalty of a self-sacrificing knight. "However, if this blade can be of use to protect you and carve a path through this fractured era... then please, use me as you see fit, Master."
Name: Elizabeth Báthory
Class: Lancer
Attribute: Human
Gender: Female
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (A Rank): In actuality, she genuinely has dragon blood mixed within her.
Territory Creation (B Rank): Normally a skill of the Caster class, Elizabeth has acquired Territory Creation as a special exception because of her life experiences. She can create a castle to imprison young maidens and harvest their blood.
Personal Skills:
Hot-Blooded Encore (A Rank): A skill that manifests her sheer, stubborn tenacity. It grants her the ability to continuously return to the stage, no matter how many times she is summarily defeated.
Breath of the Dragon (E Rank): A torrent of Magical Energy released by a Dragon, the absolute pinnacle of Phantasmal Species. It takes the form of a supersonic dragon breath. However, since possessing this ability is somewhat unnatural for her, its overall destructive power remains relatively low.
Sadistic Charisma (A Rank): Exemplifies her capacity to coerce and command others, stemming from her historical position within the ruling class. Due to the grisly, blood-soaked myths surrounding Elizabeth, the effectiveness of this skill increases by one rank when directed at females. Curiously, she exhibits a strict streak of cleanliness when dealing with men; while she is quite fond of using torture tools on them, she rarely touches them directly.
Night in Csejte (B Rank): A skill denoting her exceptional proficiency in the dark arts of torture. Whenever she utilizes torture instruments in combat, a positive modifier is added to her overall damage output.
Migraine (— Rank): A curse-like affliction that fundamentally prevents her from recognizing others as "human beings." Despite the inherent cruelty of this condition, she has somehow managed to mend her ways or rather, mature slightly evolving into a somewhat cooperative Anti-Hero who can understand people just a little bit better.
Stats:
Strength C | Endurance D | Agility E | Mana A | Luck B | NP D
Noble Phantasm:
Kilenc Sárkány: Dragon Cry Thundering Voice (Anti-Unit D Rank)
According to ancient Hungarian legends, this ability is the majestic roar of the thunder dragon Sárkány, conceptually converted into a Noble Phantasm by weather spirits. It operates by amplifying sounds and vibrations, utilizing the resulting resonance to invoke wind and rain. Its true, terrifying function is to amplify the charisma, soothing effects, or unsettling malice residing within her voice or simply the raw volume itself by exactly 81 times.
"Lancer, Elizabeth Báthory," Jeanne introduced the young girl who had been standing restlessly beside her.
Hearing her name, the girl with vibrant pink hair tied in large purple ribbons immediately stepped forward. She planted her hands on her hips and lifted her chin with overflowing confidence. Her pink draconic tail swayed haughtily behind her intricate cyber-goth-loli dress.
"Exactly! You should all be grateful, for the world's number one idol has graced this dusty stage with her presence!" Elizabeth declared in a high, arrogant tone. Her sharp eyes scanned Fujimaru's group from top to bottom, as if evaluating cheap merchandise. "Hee... So this is the 'Master' you were talking about, Jeanne? He just looks like a stray puppy lost on the battlefield."
Cú Chulainn scoffed harshly, resting his spear on his shoulder. "A puppy? Hey, horned little miss, watch your mouth. At least this 'puppy' isn't screaming for attention in a weird outfit right in the middle of a warzone."
At the insult, Elizabeth immediately bared her small fangs. Her bright eyes shifted into a freezing blue ice, radiating the distinct magical pressure of a dragon. "Who are you calling 'little miss', you lowly guard dog?! I am a noble with pure dragon blood! I could burn you to ashes right now and sing a funeral dirge for you if you'd like!"
"Please, stop," Jeanne interrupted with a long sigh, massaging her temples. She looked profoundly exhausted by her Lancer's antics. "Lancer, please behave yourself. They just saved me from a Wyvern attack. We are here as allies."
Elizabeth gave a soft huff. She turned her head away dramatically and crossed her arms over her chest, the dragon scales on her arms brushing against each other.
"Hmph! I don't need allies, I need a manager and obedient an audience!" Elizabeth retorted sharply. However, she then glanced at Fujimaru out of the corner of her eye. "But... since the saint here is asking so nicely, I'll grant you the honor of being my temporary VIP fans. Don't disappoint me, Puppy!"
Fujimaru could only offer an awkward smile in response to the one-sided declaration, while Mash whispered softly, "Senpai... it seems we are dealing with a very... unique Servant."
Jeanne offered a faint smile, deeply appreciating Siegfried's sincerity and humility, before turning her attention back to Fujimaru's group.
"Truthfully, our resistance force consists of more than just the three of us," Jeanne continued, her tone hinting at the heavy strategic burden she carried. "We have other Servant comrades fighting on our side. However, they are currently out on a subjugation expedition in enemy-occupied territories and haven't returned with the second team yet."
Fujimaru nodded slowly, recalling their earlier encounter. "Gilles mentioned something about those expeditions when we first arrived at the fortress gates."
"He is correct," Jeanne replied, her gaze drifting for a moment toward the gray, overcast horizon. "To counter the Dragon Witch's ever-growing army and the swarms of Wyverns, we had to divide our fighting forces to secure vital strongholds. Until they return, we must hold the line and formulate our plans with the strength we currently have here."
Jeanne firmly planted the base of her banner into the ground. "Let us head inside the command post. There is much we need to discuss regarding our next course of action."
Just as Jeanne turned to lead them toward the command post, a sharp tingling sensation suddenly pierced Fujimaru's mind. The telepathic link from the 'Message' spell had reactivated.
'Master, we have an emergency,' Archer's voice rang out, sharp and tense within Fujimaru's head. 'A massive enemy force is heading straight for the fortress. There are hundreds of Wyverns acting as an aerial vanguard, and I can see several enemy Servants leading the ground formation. Their killing intent is palpable. Estimated time of arrival: under ten minutes.'
Hearing the grim report, Fujimaru immediately frowned. Their previously calm expression hardened, projecting the profound seriousness of a battlefield commander.
'Position yourself in their blind spot. Thin out their numbers from a distance as much as you can,' Fujimaru commanded with a firm, unwavering tone. 'Do not force a close-quarters engagement, and retreat to our rendezvous point inside the fortress immediately before they can pinpoint your location.'
'Understood,' Archer replied, curt but brimming with confidence. The faint, taut creak of a bowstring being drawn could be heard echoing across the mental link just before the connection was entirely severed.