-59- Trust you, Trust me

"So, what should we do next?"

Watching Saber stop in mid-air and her Noble Phantasm's release fail due to the interference of the evil spirits, with the Primordial Runes shimmering on the backs of the eighteen magical ants, Caster's Noble Phantasm unleashed, Rozen's mind was completely lost in thought.

The 〈Ochd Deug Odin (Great God's Inscription)〉.

Releasing the power of the eighteen Primordial Runes, it was an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm of A-rank, capable of obliterating enemy fortresses.

When Rozen learned about this Noble Phantasm from Caster, he considered it their trump card.

So in Rozen's mind, he had already planned to use this Noble Phantasm as a final resort to defeat the formidable enemy, Saber.

That's why he had the eighteen Primordial Runes engraved on the backs of the magical ants, because Rozen had made preparations with Caster in advance.

Undoubtedly, the power of this Noble Phantasm would be enough to defeat the enemy, especially with the immense magical power provided by the 〈Great Holy Grail〉.

However, sometimes, too much power might not be a good thing.

Rozen had already realized this when Caster told him about the Noble Phantasm.

"If I unleash this Noble Phantasm at full power, won't we be caught in the aftermath too?"

After all, it was an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm meant for fortresses, covering the entire fortress area. While its overall power might not exceed the A++ rank of the holy sword, the holy sword only targeted the front of the path it was swung, disintegrating all enemies in its trajectory. In contrast, the eighteen Primordial Runes spread all around the large cavity, encompassing the entire fortress.

If they were in an open area outside, they could take the opportunity to escape, but in the confined space of the large cavity, surrounded by walls on all sides, they wouldn't have enough time to escape through the only exit.

In other words, in a limited space, this would be a technique to take both parties down together.

Therefore, initially, Rozen intended to lure Saber out of the large cavity and engage in battle elsewhere. But upon further consideration, he realized that Archer would never fall for such an obvious lure, and it would expose their trump card, leading to the enemy being prepared. In that case, the plan to use Caster's Noble Phantasm to secure victory might not work.

Caster's Noble Phantasm could only be used within the large cavity.

After contemplating this, Rozen reluctantly came to this conclusion.

But did it mean that using this Noble Phantasm would guarantee that both sides perished together?

That wasn't necessarily the case.

Because they didn't have just one Servant on their side.

Perhaps, when it came to achieving victory, her power fell far short of exceptional Servants.

However, when it came to protecting their side, her ability was unparalleled.

" Mash! "

Rozen called out to her.

" Yes, Master! "

At some point, Mash appeared, holding her shield high.

From Mash's current position, she could not only protect Caster at her side but also safeguard Olga Marie and Fou, who were far in the back.

As for Rozen, he stood directly behind her, in the safest position.

Looking at Mash's slender and frail appearance from behind, yet firmly and resolutely holding the shield with an unwavering conviction, Rozen suddenly wanted to say something.

"I believe in you, Mash."

Rozen said these words clearly.

How much redemption did these words bring to Mash's heart?

Rozen didn't know.

It was something only Mash could understand.

And Mash did understand.

As those words reached her ears, her inner self began to change.

The fear of battle gradually faded.

Confidence in protecting others surged even more.

The thought of her shield protecting the important people behind her, and being the sole reliance for victory, filled Mash's heart with unprecedented enthusiasm.

Moreover, Rozen gave a command.

"——By command spell, I order you, Mash Kyrielight, use your Noble Phantasm——"

With the final stroke of the three-line command spell, pure magical energy surged into Mash's body.

Noble Phantasm.

This was something Mash had never been able to grasp before.

Not knowing the true name of the Heroic Spirit granting her power, and not even knowing the true name of her own Noble Phantasm, Mash had no idea how to use it.

But Rozen said this to her when she was feeling inferior about it:

"Trust me, leave it to me."

Now, Rozen showed Mash through actions that trusting him was absolutely right.

Even if Mash couldn't use her Noble Phantasm herself, as her Master, Rozen could assist her in achieving that goal.

Command spells existed for this purpose.

Under the absolute authority of the command spells, even if Mash herself didn't know what to do, the Heroic Spirit's power within her would respond.

In other words...

"Use it instinctively."

This was what Rozen wanted to tell Mash.

So, Rozen had always believed in Mash without any doubt.

Now, he said it again:

"I believe in you."

With these two occurrences of "belief" along with the previous "believe in me," shouldn't it be enough to awaken Mash's fragile fighting spirit?

So...

"Haa-----!"

With a spirited cry, Mash forcefully struck her own shield.

"Clang!"

A brilliant light began to shine on the surface of her heavy shield.

The light transformed into a transparent barrier, rotating as it expanded from the shield until it stood before everyone.

Within that transparent barrier, faintly visible, one could even see the walls of a sacred and pristine white chalk castle.

Responding to Rozen's command spell and Mash's conviction, the long-hidden Noble Phantasm was finally unleashed.

"That...!?"

In midair, Saber, whose spiritual body had been interfered with by the evil spirits, could clearly see this scene. Her widened eyes showed astonishment and a hint of realization.

Then, the power of the eighteen original runes also spread throughout the entire large cave.

Next second...

"———"

A blinding white light flickered, accompanied by an ear-splitting roar that surpassed everyone's hearing range.

Everyone felt their vision taken away, the ground beneath them violently shaking, and a terrifying heat blowing towards them. Soon, they knew nothing.

If they could still maintain their vision, they would undoubtedly witness the scene.

Within that blinding white light, the countless ants seemed to be incinerated, turning into a cloud of ashes. Even the surface of the ground was scorched by the dreadful heat and completely destroyed.

Naturally, as the enemies targeted by this Noble Phantasm, Saber and Archer could not escape either.

"Is this the end...?"

Archer muttered, seemingly giving up resistance, and was reduced to ashes.

Saber also seemed to give up resistance, allowing her body to be incinerated while she fixed her eyes on Rozen and Mash, who were safe within the protective barrier. Her usual cold expression finally relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face.

"If it's you two, maybe it can be done..."

Saber disappeared along with those words.

Thus, the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City came to a close.