-179- The uncompatible duo

"Bang—!"

As Rozen and the group arrived at their destination, a massive explosion erupted, sending a blast of wind and billowing smoke their way, catching them off guard.

"Ugh...! Cough, cough...!"

Caught by surprise, Rozen wasn't blown away by the blast but got caught in the swirling smoke. He coughed harshly as he inhaled the dust.

"Senpai...! Are you alright!?"

Mash was startled and rushed to Rozen's side, raising her shield to block the gusts of wind and smoke.

"I'm... I'm fine..."

Rozen finally felt relieved, waving his hand to disperse the remaining smoke and allowing himself to breathe normally.

"What's going on?"

"Oh my, it's quite lively."

Jeanne and Marie had expressions of surprise. One appeared amazed, while the other seemed entirely unaffected.

As for Amadeus, he had his ears covered.

"Damn it...! Damn it...!"

Amadeus cursed incessantly.

Because, in the scene, discomforting noises and dissonance were raging.

"Ah----!"

High-pitched sound waves akin to a hurricane swept across the clearing. They tore at the earth, raising thick clouds of dust. They bombarded forward, accompanied by the roaring force of an explosion.

"Whoosh....!"

Raging flames resembling endless tides turned into giant waves. Each wave crashed into the next, competing with the force of the high-pitched sound waves. A symphony of overwhelming sound and fiery energy clashed.

In the midst of this chaotic encounter, a massive explosion occurred, unleashing another gust of wind that swept in all directions.

Amidst this chaos, two Servants were locked in combat.

Fighting and cursing simultaneously.

"You useless country bumpkin flame-spewing lizard! An annoying perverted stalker with delusions! A lowly quadruped snake! Die, die, die, die, die!"

As she hurled insults and emitted high-pitched sound waves, a young girl was battling. Despite her pleasant voice, her high-pitched notes pierced like a knife, grating the eardrums and carrying an intense force. The sound waves tore through dirt and trees, causing a violent impact.

This girl, who appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen, wore gothic lolita attire that seemed out of place in her era. She had horns atop her head, resembling either demons or dragons. Behind her trailed a fearsome tail. Her mouth bore sharp fangs, and she held a microphone-like lance in her hand. Rather than a traditional Servant, she seemed more like a chuunibyou (delusional adolescent) who enjoyed role-playing.

Despite her pleasing voice, her high-pitched notes were strangely piercing and grating, as if they could puncture eardrums. The sound was sharp, difficult to listen to, and powerful enough to carry away dust and trees.

Evidently, this young girl was the Lancer that Mash had mentioned. She stood confronting another girl.

"You love-brain loli! A mixed breed that's not even worthy of being called a dragon! Narcissistic daydreamer! Burn!!!"

The response that came from the second girl's mouth was equally unreservedly insulting.

Differing from the modern attire of the Lancer, this girl wore a very period-appropriate kimono, with a white haori layered over it. She also had a pair of horns on her head, though unlike the Lancer's black ones, hers were pure white and conveyed an air of nobility.

She also had snake-like golden pupils and carried a paper fan in her hand. Her lips, alluring and enticing, were not as freely agape as the Lancer's; instead, they were poised in an elegant, restrained manner. Her voice was quite pleasing, much like that of a well-mannered noblewoman.

However, her poised and closed mouth responded with equally fierce counter-curses. Between her words, she exhaled azure flames that steamed the air, displaying impressive power yet emitting an eerie chill.

This could only be the Berserker that Mash had referred to. It was odd, as a Berserker should be in a state of "Mad Enhancement," but this Berserker's words and actions were full of reason and intellect, making it hard to believe her class.

The two Servants continued to insult each other while locked in a fierce battle, unleashing sound waves and flames that wreaked havoc and devastation around them.

"I can't take it anymore... I really can't..."

Amadeus cried out in despair.

"Why does this world allow for Servants like them to exist? Ah... oh, God of Music, please purify these two shitty brats that polluted sound...!"

Amadeus had completely lost his sanity.

"Don't use foul language, Amadeus."

Marie reproached Amadeus sternly, leaving him at a loss for words.

Amadeus could only turn to Rozen for help.

"Master, please, save me. I'll listen to you and do anything you say. Please make them stop. I can't stand having my music mixed with that noise."

Amadeus earnestly implored Rozen for assistance. It seemed that this artist of the music world had an extraordinary dedication to his craft. As Mary had mentioned, without his music, he would be left with only his eccentric tendencies.

Of course, even if Amadeus didn't ask, the group wouldn't stand idly by watching the two continue their brawl.

"Let's try to talk with them."

Jeanne quickly suggested.

"Me! Me! Let me do it!"

Marie eagerly raised her hand, showing a keen interest in getting involved.

However, Rozen shook his head.

"Talking won't work. How can words of reason and persuasion be louder than their curses?"

Rozen decisively decided.

"Let me handle this."

Rozen extended his hand, placing it on Mash's back, which was positioned in front of him.

"Go, Mash!"

Through Rozen's palm, magic and direction flowed into Mash's body.

"Yes, Master!"

Mash immediately raised her shield. A surge of magic flowed through her, and as she stepped on the ground, she charged forward.

"Haa----!"

Mash boldly rushed into the storm of sound waves and flames, positioning her shield in the center and creating a barrier.

"Boom!"

The approaching sound waves and flames collided against the barrier, separated as if they hit an invisible wall, and ceased their confrontation.

"Hmm?"

"Oh?"

The Lancer and Berserker were taken aback, as if they had just noticed the presence of others. They turned their gaze towards the group.

"What are you doing, little squirrel?" The Lancer grumbled at Mash. "Don't interfere! Let me deal with that flame-spewing lizard first!"

"Oh my, so many people here," the Berserker was surprisingly composed, using her paper fan to cover the lower part of her face. Her voice was laced with a hint of laughter as she spoke, "I assume you all couldn't bear the annoyance caused by that screeching half-breed on the other side, and that's why you came here? Please rest assured, tranquility will be restored soon."

The sharp exchange of words made the Lancer and Berserker once again lock their gazes onto each other.

"Who are you calling a screeching half-breed!? I'm the most popular idol of the future."

"What a pity that the tastes of people in the future have become so disagreeable. Could they truly appreciate such a sound?"

"Someone who can only stalk others like a deranged lizard wouldn't understand taste!?"

"Someone who bathes in blood as if it were water is quite the oddity herself, don't you think?"

"What did you say!?"

"I'm talking about you!"

The Lancer and Berserker continued their heated argument, each exchange growing more intense.

"That's enough!"

Amadeus was the first to lose patience.

Rozen, on the other hand, took a more direct approach.

"If you keep bickering, I won't hesitate to take action!"

Rozen's frustration also grew, and he channeled magic into Mash, bolstering her strength.

In the next moment, Mash's presence surged.

The Lancer and Berserker's attention was now fixed on Rozen.