Miss Surtr will ignite the world

"That's true."

"Hearing you say that makes me feel strangely like rushing up and clashing with them."

"If you die, I will try to resurrect you."

"Wow, really?"

Ritsuka felt as if she had heard something incredible.

Of course, Surtr didn't continue to answer. As he spoke, the group of humanoid monsters had already arrived at a distance not far from them.

"Food...it's food."

"A woman who looks delicious..."

"Thank God... Thank God... Thank you for surviving until now because of me...!"

"Kill them all! Kill them all...! It's meat, it's meat, it's meat!"

Words that sounded like curses came from the monsters' mouths, and their empty eyes shone brightly as they stared at the group, as if they had seen a feast.

"Those are humans who have almost become ghouls, and can only live by hatred, jealousy, and hurting others."

Roman's explanation came through the bracelet at just the right moment.

"This is probably the current state of this land. We've encountered this situation more than once on our way to the Holy City."

Bedivere drew his sword, his voice dejected.

These ghouls alone pose no threat to them, but the reason these people became like this is chilling.

The emergence of the desert made the land barren, and the Lion King's strategy caused the number of refugees to increase dramatically.

The only places with relatively prosperous lives are probably the Holy City and the Sun King's territory.

But not everyone becomes one of them.

“We came here to reject this kind of era. Let them be free. Their lives are already like candles flickering in the wind.”

Roman said.

"Okay, go for it, Mashu, hurry up."

Ritsuka said.

"Understood, senior."

Mashu nodded, her magic surged, her makeup faded, and she returned to her original appearance.

She drew her large shield and rushed towards the horde of ghouls.

The round shield struck the foremost ghoul, its bones cracking as it was sent flying several meters before crashing to the ground.

But perhaps because his survival ability had increased after becoming a ghoul, this attack did not kill him. Instead, he roared even more fiercely because of the pain.

"Why don't we bring her back? That weapon looks like it's meant to inflict pain on the target."

Surtr rubbed his forehead and casually burned a ghoul that tried to ambush him to ashes.

"Well, it is a shield after all."

Ritsuka scratched her cheek.

The attack of the ghouls was just a minor incident and posed no threat to the group. After Bedivere and Mash dealt with the situation, the group resumed their journey.

Needless to say, the speed of a Servant is exceptional. Fujimaru Ritsuka is a formidable character who can outrun Hercules while carrying a load and trek across the North American continent.

After a day's journey, we finally arrived at our destination in the evening.

"Oh, we can see it now, but it's so desolate. Is this the kind of place those Hassans live in?"

Ritsuka gazes into the distance.

In the distance, there are mountains that stretch out like a reclining dragon.

But unlike the lush green mountains I had seen in my hometown, the mountains in front of me, though magnificent, were quite desolate, with not a trace of green in sight.

Large amounts of rocks and yellowish-brown soil were exposed on the surface, presenting a desolate scene.

"This barren land, which also has to accept refugees, must face not only external enemies but also a pressing internal resource problem."

Bedivere's analysis.

His country had experienced resource problems and was quite sensitive about this.

"Indeed, of the three factions, Hassan's life is probably the most difficult. Even without other threats, he probably won't be able to hold on for long."

"They have it tough too. By the way, Mash, what are you looking at?"

With a sigh, Ritsuka looked at Mash, who was looking down at the ground.

Following her gaze, one could see a huge claw mark branded onto the bare ground.

Each scratch was wider than a human head, indicating that the owner was quite large.

"The marks look very fresh, could it be some kind of monster?"

Although they had seen many monsters along the way, this was the first time they had seen one this big.

"I guess so. It seems this mountain isn't safe either."

The Sacred Round Table: Chapter Sixteen - My Neck Itches

"It's a bit late to ask now, but how are we going to find the Hassans' stronghold? Their stronghold should be very well hidden, right?"

Ritsuka lowered her hand and looked at Surtr.

Although it is in a mountainous region, the entire mountainous region is quite large, so you can't search one mountain at a time.

"It's very simple. I just need to fly up and take a look around to find out."

Surtr pointed to the sky.

While the Hassans' hideout was well-hidden, it was only to the average person. For a cheater like her, with her aerial vision and clairvoyance, finding it was incredibly easy.

“Indeed, Miss Surtr can fly.”

Mashu remembered that back in the Holy City, the other party seemed to have flown out with Bedivere as well.

"Do giants all fly?"

Ritsuka was puzzled.

I don't think the words "giant" and "flying" go very well together.

"At least the giants I've ever met couldn't fly."

As the last remnant of the Age of Gods, Bedivere did see some giants on the island of Britain, but they clearly did not have the ability to fly.

"That's the function of the clothes I'm wearing. A friend made them for me, and by the way, another friend volunteered to provide the materials."

Surtr pointed to the formal attire she was wearing.

"It looks like a very high-performance outfit. I'd really like to meet your friend sometime."

Leonardo da Vinci was even more curious about this.

"There should be a chance."

After all, she is a Servant, although even if she is summoned, the other party will most likely not recognize her.

"Please wait for me a moment, I'll be right back."

As he spoke, Surtr flew towards the mountains, much to Ritsuka's envy.

"That's wonderful. By the way, when will Da Vinci make me a flying outfit?"

The yearning for the sky is etched into human DNA. Ms. Ritsuka had flown before, but flying and flying freely are obviously two different things.

"Let's talk about it in the future. But your safety should be the priority when exploring singularities. The costume you're wearing has been specially modified. As a magician, your abilities are limited, so it might be difficult to add any other functions."

Leonardo da Vinci spoke words of regret.

Besides the Mystic Code itself, the extent to which the Mystic Code can function also depends on the quality of the magician. Even if Surtr could lend the Mystic Code to Ritsuka, the latter would not be able to afford the magical energy required for flight.

"I see."

Ritsuka was somewhat disappointed.

Even though she already knew, she still felt that she wished she had been more qualified as a magician.

Ritsuka found a rock to sit on, propped her cheek in her hand, and watched Surtr's figure grow smaller and smaller.

Suddenly, a shadow rushed up from the ground and knocked the other person down from the sky.

???

Ritsuka blinked, then raised her hand and rubbed it.

But Surtr was nowhere to be seen in the sky. Instead, Mash's surprised voice came from beside her.

"Senior, senior, another monster has suddenly attacked Miss Surtr."

Okay, it seems I wasn't seeing things.

"Judging from its appearance, it looks like the Sphinx of the Sun King, but why would it appear in a place like this?"

Bedivere squinted. Even though they were far apart, the only creature that fit the description of a winged, four-legged being was the Sphinx of the Sun King.

But why is the other party here?

the other side.

On the barren, sandy hillside, Surtr fell from the sky to the ground.

With both feet firmly on the ground, he rolled over and just as he regained his balance, a creature larger than a large truck gracefully landed from the air in front of him, without making a single impact.

Its face is that of a human, and its body that of a lion.

He wears distinctive headdresses, and his robust body, resembling that of a king of a hundred heads, is adorned with a pair of eagle-like wings.

Huge, giant, huge body.

An astonishingly massive beast with overwhelming mass.

Its face was solemn, giving it a slightly sacred air, and it looked down at Surtr with its dull eyes.

The answer was found in the huge claw marks at the foot of the mountain.

The Sphinx, also known as the Lion-headed Man.

Just now, Surtr saw this monster that shouldn't be here when he was scouting Hassan's stronghold.

As summoned by Ramses II, judging from the descriptions of the Sun King's cannibalistic monsters, it is highly likely that the Sun King adopted a laissez-faire policy towards these magnificent beasts.

Even so, their activity range should only be that desert area, so why would they come to such a godforsaken place?

Surtr flew low to investigate carefully, and while he noticed the big guy, the other guy noticed him too. As a result, the rude guy attacked without saying a word.

Miss Surtr is generally an easy-going person, but she cannot tolerate being provoked like this.

These fantasy species basically all have this bad habit. Talulah was also incredibly arrogant when she first appeared, but it's okay, a beating will do the trick.

"Let's make this clear first, you started it."

Surtr stood on the moral high ground, while the other side made the first move.

The enormous claws, now crimson red from the convergence of magic, attacked her. No matter how strong or tough a body was, it would be torn to shreds like paper under this blow.

Thick clods of earth were overturned, and sharp claws swept across, instantly leaving five deep wounds on the hard ground.

This is an attack capability that is completely inconsistent with its chubby appearance.

Surtr leaped upwards, temporarily avoiding the attack.

But the other animal's remaining front paw was rapidly lunging at her from the side.

At this distance and at this speed, it's too late to dodge.

But there's no need to avoid it.

Gripping the Flame Sword tightly in his hand and channeling magic into it, Surtr unleashed a crimson sword light in the direction from which the claws were attacking.

The collision of magic sent rubble flying, the sound of sharp blades piercing flesh echoed through the air, and the air was filled with the scorching smell of roasting meat.

Surtr landed lightly on the ground, claws and all.

But after the smoke cleared, what was seen was the opponent's forepaw, which had just been severed and was already beginning to regenerate.