Kapitel 162: -159- Unexpected results
In the end, the French forces successfully retreated from Orleans.
Even though Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, and the others, the lineup of Servants, did their best to stop them, and even the legion of Wyverns fiercely attacked, they couldn't halt Mash's charge.
Mash was already an expert in defense as a Servant, with high defensive capabilities. With "Magic Defence" protecting her at close range, "Magic Resilience" boosting her damage output, and "Rigid Body" enhancing her physical abilities, along with Rozen infusing her with a significant amount of mana to enhance her strength, Mash's fierce charge was unstoppable. Even the monster summoned by the Rider-class Servant couldn't hold her back.
With Mash leading the way, the French forces managed to break through the encirclement despite heavy casualties.
Not long after, Orleans was left with a devastated square, bodies and bloodstains covering the ground, roaring Wyverns, and a group of somber-looking Servants.
"Hmph."
The witch on the wyvern's back held the banner behind her and gave a cold snort.
"I thought they were just insignificant rats, but it seems they had some skill."
It appeared that the witch never took this invasion seriously from the beginning. If she had, the outcome might not have resulted in their escape.
Regarding this, Saber and Rider remained silent, not saying anything. Instead, others started speaking.
"Aren't you going to chase after them, Jeanne?" Caster exclaimed fervently and intoxicatedly, with a hint of madness in his voice. "With just your command, I would even retrieve God's head for you!"
It was clear that this Caster-class Servant held a great admiration and even devotion towards the witch, even willing to blaspheme even against divine beings.
In contrast, the other Servants didn't display this sentiment but exhibited an equally unsettling abnormality.
"I can also go in pursuit," Lancer said with a voice rich in magnetism, filled with courtesy and arrogance. "Although I usually leave the task of dealing with deserters to my soldiers, I'm interested in the girl who used the shield. She easily shattered my 'Stake'. Such disrespect cannot go unpunished without spilling some blood."
The outwardly elegant and noble Duke spoke words cruel in nature.
However, someone voiced dissent.
"This won't do, Your Majesty," Assassin said with a seemingly respectful tone, but there was hardly any true reverence in her voice. With a bloodthirsty tone, she continued, "That beautiful girl's blood is mine. Even you, being a 'Senior,' can't take that from me."
From this statement, it could be gleaned that Assassin had an unusually strong attachment to the girl's blood, an obsession that others couldn't understand and that she had no intention of relinquishing.
"This is a bit tricky," Lancer said, seemingly unconcerned but his words suggested otherwise. "No one dared to steal from me in the past, and yet after death, I find myself having this kind of experience. If this were in my lifetime, I'd have to pierce you through and put your body on display outside the city gates."
"Is that so?" Assassin's eyes flickered with a daunting red light, as she looked at Lancer. "Although you as a nobleman have the right to say that, would you like to try imposing a punishment on me?"
The atmosphere between the two immediately became tense.
Although comrades, the two of them emitted a killing intent that was palpable.
Clearly, neither was joking, and despite their laughter just seconds before, they could easily turn around and commit a gruesome murder.
This angered Caster somewhat.
"Do not disregard the Saintess!" Caster shouted somewhat heatedly. "The instructions of our Saintess are the true path! Even if the ultimate goal is betrayal and curse against the gods!"
Even the usually composed Jeanne d'Arc frowned, showing an expression of displeasure.
However, despite their annoyance, these two Servants didn't object to Caster's words.
Evidently, among these Servants, the witch held the real leadership position.
The witch glanced at Caster, not caring in the slightest about the taboo of being referred to as a "Saintess." It seemed she placed her trust and forgiveness in Caster alone, then she spoke.
"You don't need to chase after them," the witch said coldly. "Archer has already gone after them on her own."
Upon hearing this, everyone noticed that Archer had vanished.
"She went after them already?" Lancer chuckled softly. "To completely ignore our presence here and act on her own—looks like that 'Mad Enhancement' of her is quite thorough."
"That woman wasn't the type to stand with us in the first place," Assassin scoffed, as if mocking the other. "If we don't drive her into complete madness, we can't guarantee she won't fall into depravity."
"But is it okay to rely solely on Archer? Jeanne?" Caster asked with exaggerated respect. "After all, that female hero has already gone completely mad. She might do something reckless."
"I see." The witch squinted her eyes and then looked towards the two silent Servants. "In that case, Saber, Rider, the two of you should also pursue."
Upon hearing this, Saber and Rider finally looked up.
"I don't mind," Rider replied with a melodious voice that matched her appearance.
"... Is it really okay?" Saber, with a voice that couldn't quite be identified as male or female but was gentle nonetheless, questioned.
"If it's Rider, she can catch up. While I excel at espionage, I can't outrun Archer and Rider."
Archer, being a hunter, was naturally adept at traversing all kinds of terrain, and Rider could compensate for her lack of speed through mounted transportation, making it possible for her to catch up with Archer.
Saber, on the other hand, though possessing agility, still couldn't match the other two in that aspect. Moreover, her expertise was in espionage, making her pursuit less likely to be successful.
The witch didn't really mind.
"No problem, you go ahead and pursue. Catch up if you can, and if not, feel free to destroy a few cities along the way."
"... Understood." Saber nodded expressionlessly.
Saber and Rider then left one after the other.
Watching this scene, the remaining Servants made comments.
"I thought those two might refuse."
"After all, neither of them were originally the type to stand on our side."
They chatted away.
"Alright, let's leave the pursuit to them."
The witch turned her back, her voice alone reaching them.
"You will all continue with your own tasks."
"Kill."
"Destroy."
"Ravage."
"Go."
With these words left behind, the witch and the Wyverns flew away together.
"Ah, our esteemed Saint..."
Caster held a grimoire, spreading his arms in the direction the witch flew, still fervent and intoxicated.
"Well, then let's continue on the path to seek blood."
"Just the way I like it, Your Grace," Assassin said, leaving as if nothing had happened.
Above Orleans, the flock of Wyverns split into groups and followed the individual Servants, departing from the city.
Not a single person noticed a head popping out from a corner.
Who could have predicted that?
"I didn't even run, and they're talking about pursuing. Idiots..."
After stealing a glance at the enemy's movements, Rozen retracted his gaze, leaned against a wall, and began to catch his breath.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein