Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

The out-of-breath, fat uncle Gold made a wild guess. His hand paused, his fat face trembled violently, and a trace of fear and apprehension gradually appeared in his eyes.

When the World Tree and the Clock Tower broke off relations, Danic, a former German traitor, used his ruthless methods to give the Clock Tower a bloody warning.

He ordered his follower Vlad III to fight, and skewered the 50 skilled magicians from the Clock Tower who came to subdue him into pieces, thus declaring war on the Magicians' Association.

The gruesome scene almost made Gold, who was watching remotely, vomit.

Fifty skilled magicians, many of whom are blood relatives or descendants of other magical families.

The Clock Tower will certainly not let this grudge go unpunished.

If they really intend to follow suit and arrest all the magicians of the Yggdrasil Clan, string them up on sticks and dry them like cured meat, it's not impossible.

Gold felt weak in the knees just thinking about the horrific scene, and even had a suicidal urge.

Death is not so terrifying for a magician who has long walked on the edge of danger.

The scariest thing is that sometimes even wanting to die is a luxury.

"Trying to capture us alive? Not so easy! We'll fight them to the death! I'll take a few of them down with me!"

With her clothes torn in many places, Serenaka bit her red lips fiercely and reached out to open the door, looking as if she was ready to die with everyone else.

"Use them as scapegoats?" You mean these free Dragon Tooth soldiers? Or that highly venomous snake?

The crowd hurriedly tried to stop them, their faces bitter as they looked at the white, wave-like bone fragments outside the door and the monster Bashum, which was coiled up in front of the side hall and swimming forward.

This is clearly an attempt to wear them down with these summoned creatures. Given our current state, we can at most take down a few waves of mobs.

Even if they manage to hold out until later, there are still enemy Servants who will likely be at full strength after a period of rest.

Even if you want to drag your opponent's Heroic Spirits and Magicians down with you, you have to see if they'll treat you fairly and play one-on-one.

At this moment, the three Masters of Yggdrasil, Serenekee, were in a state of impotent rage, Gordes was still in shock, and Caules was still immersed in the daze of losing his Servant. The other Heroic Spirits, who had been exhausted by numerous battles and endless cycles of combat, were also about to run out of energy.

Sensing a bleak future, the group was filled with frustration, their sense of powerlessness growing stronger.

"boom!"

Just as the room was filled with gloom and despair, the dilapidated door collapsed with a crash due to an external impact, snapping the last thread in everyone's hearts.

Is it finally coming to an end?

The magicians and Servants who hastily rose to fight had expressions of both despair and relief.

However, as the warm morning light pierced through the rising dust and entered the room, a cascading cascade of golden hair, carrying a hint of warmth and radiance, caught everyone's eye.

"Let's go, this is over for now. I'll take you home."

Under the bright sunlight, a pure and holy maiden, wearing a silver hair ornament, holding a battle flag, and dressed in pure white silver armor, smiles and reaches out to her companions in the darkness.

Gazing at the motionless mass of dragon-tooth soldiers, the giant snake coiled outside the palace, and the graceful figure reaching out from the ruins, in that instant, everyone seemed to see an angel descending gracefully from heaven.

At this moment, in the high corridor.

The Assyrian empress, wine cup in hand, looked down at the line of men who passed by nervously under the watchful eyes of the Dragon Tooth soldiers and Bashom.

Ying gently swirled the red wine in her glass and turned to ask.

"Are you just going to let them go like that?"

"There's nothing I can do, I lost by accident."

Samael spread his hands, looking quite helpless and annoyed.

Semiramis's amused gaze swept over her superior's face inch by inch, the corners of her lips slightly upturned, and she leaned closer to whisper in his ear, her voice quietly lowering.

"Really? But you don't seem surprised."

"Have it?"

Samael blinked, looking completely innocent, but a subtle, unspoken meaning flickered in his eyes as he gazed at the group from the Thousand World Tree.

Do you know what you look like right now?

Semiramis rolled her eyes at her boss and gave a cold snort.

Samael instinctively asked, "What?"

"It's like an old father seeing his daughter suddenly grow up."

"No way! How can you slander someone's innocence out of thin air!"

Upon hearing this slander, Samael turned his head angrily, his face full of injustice.

Could it be that I guessed wrong?

Seeing her superior's disgraceful and indignant expression, Semiramis began to doubt her own judgment.

It's just the joy of a disciple graduating!

The ancient snake, without batting an eye, remained indignant, silently adding to its own thoughts.

Although she has surpassed her teacher in some ways, which might be considered a bit disrespectful, she doesn't seem like the naive and easily fooled person who can be easily moved or tricked.

Well then, congratulations on your graduation, Joan of Arc.

However, the outcome of the game on the chessboard is just a pastime. As a reward for being able to understand and make good use of the rules, I can give you a handicap. But now it's my home turf. Have you thought about how to play this game?

As the last wisp of a figure disappeared into the dim light of the magic teleportation array, Samael withdrew his gaze, downed the glass of red wine in one gulp, and a hint of anticipation and amusement flickered in his dark eyes, his lips moving silently as he murmured something.

My dearest—Your Highness…

"Let's go back. Tell them they did a good job this time and now they have seven days off. Let them do whatever they want."

After finishing his drink, Samael clapped his hands, gave a casual order, and then stretched and walked away, his steps light and carefree.

brisk?

Semiramis, still absorbed in the previous conversation, frowned slightly. When her wandering gaze inadvertently swept over the chessboard in the pavilion, she seemed to have thought of something.

I remember that when that saintess went out, she was barefoot and her neckline was open.

So, what happened to what she took off?

In an instant, the Assyrian empress, realizing what had happened, looked at her superior who had vanished without a trace. The last trace of guilt in her heart disappeared, her teeth chattered, and her face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Innocent? Innocent my foot!

At that moment, in the dilapidated courtyard square, after a rustling sound, Mordred, dressed in hot pants and with her cheeks like a little kitten's, jumped out of the pit, raised her right hand, and spread her palms out to her friends, showing off triumphantly.

"Look what I found!"

A greenish-blue metal fragment engraved with circuits and magic circles flickered in her palm.

This is probably the only trophy worth collecting from this battle.

As night fell, the moon was bright and the stars were few, but the ancient castle of the Thousand World Tree was brightly lit. Ancient melodies echoed in the hall, carrying a touch of solemnity and melancholy.

A family succession ceremony is taking place here.

Due to the death of the former head of the family, Danic, the leaderless Yggdrasil clan, in accordance with the custom of succession, jointly elected a new head of the family, namely the wheelchair-bound girl, Fiore Fulvig Yggdrasilena.

After a brief formality, Fiore, in her wheelchair, received the ruby ​​scepter passed from family members in turn, pursed her lips, and, as is customary, made her promise to assume office.

"I will remember the name of Yggdrasil, fulfill the long-cherished wish of the Yggdrasil race, lead my people to win the Holy Grail, and explore the origins!"

However, the hall was silent and deathly still, and the crowd reacted indifferently.

After all, the previous patriarch, Vlad III, and Fiona's ambush forces had all lost. Now, with a young patriarch who was disabled, and a group of defeated soldiers, their chances of victory were slim.

Seeing this, Fiore coughed lightly, trying to boost morale.

"I am still inexperienced and have limited abilities, and I am indeed not as good as Uncle Danic, but since I am in this position, I will do my best to do everything well."

But her words carried little weight, and the effect of her efforts was extremely limited.

Just as Fiore, who had just taken office, was feeling somewhat frustrated and dejected, a solemn, deep voice came from beside her, echoing crisply throughout the hall.

"Listen, everyone, I know what you're thinking. The enemy is stronger than ever before, and we have almost no chance of winning. Admittedly, kneeling on the ground with your hands above your heads is easier than standing up and taking up arms to fight back..."

The blonde saintess stepped onto the stage, carefully scanning every figure on the field. Her voice suddenly rose, and her expression became solemn.

"But you are heroic spirits who are unmatched in your respective fields! You are magicians of the Thousand World Tree who have sworn to transcend bloodlines and break through social barriers!"

Even though we come from eras that would never have intersected, even though our needs are different, at this moment, we can only rely on each other!

You can only trust yourself!

This was indeed a war with a huge disparity in strength, but heroes and pioneers are those who strive for even the slightest chance of survival in dire circumstances!

Even if you try, you might not win.

But if you don't try, you're guaranteed to lose!

The powerful declaration invigorated the magicians and spirits who were dejected after their defeat, causing them to raise their proud heads and re-examine their resolve and their long-cherished wishes.

"I, Joan of Arc, swear in the name of the Lord that I will be your strong shield, to create miracles together in this era, to strive for that one in ten thousand chance, and to welcome the overflowing of the Lord's blessed cup! Friends, are you willing to walk with me?"

A hand clad in silver armor reached out from the platform, and the saintess, bathed in light, gazed silently and waited, just as she had done in front of the courtyard gate when she led them out of their predicament.

(This reminds me of Delacroix's famous painting "Liberty Leading the People," in which the goddess waving a flag is said to represent Joan of Arc.)

In an instant, all the fear and hesitation were melted away by gentle firmness.

The indomitable spirits and the magicians who intended to abolish the old and innovate, entered the courtyard in unison, placed one hand on their chest, knelt on one knee, and raised their heads to make a solemn declaration.

"My sword is with you, my life is with Yggdmillennia!"

The scene was just like their loyalty to their patriarch Danic and King Vlad III at the beginning of the war.

Amidst a series of unforeseen events, this saint, through her personal charisma and acts of kindness in times of crisis, finally replaced Danic and gained the unanimous obedience of the people of the Thousand World Tree and the Heroic Spirits.

"There are still seven days until the Holy Grail reunites and reappears. It will definitely be a fierce battle then. Master, stay behind to discuss battle plans and reconstruct the defensive spells of the Yggdrasil Castle. Heroic Spirits, go back to rest and recover to your best condition as soon as possible."

Joan of Arc, who was in command, didn't say much and succinctly assigned tasks.

With a leader in mind, the people gradually left the hall to carry out their orders.

As the building emptied out, the vast hall fell silent once more. Fiore, on the stage, pushed her wheelchair, scrutinizing the blonde girl before her with suspicion in her eyes.

"Are you really only 16 years old?"

"The student ID does show this age."

At this moment, Jeanne d'Arc, having disarmed herself, returned to her appearance as a high school girl, answering with a faint smile and her hands behind her back.

Fiore clenched her fists, relentlessly pressing for an answer.

"What about before?"

"If I were to talk about the past, I think I left my hometown at the age of 17, and I was 19 when I completed my life's journey."

Upon hearing this, Fiore raised her hand to her forehead, her face showing even more frustration.

He joined the army at the age of 17, and by the age of 19, he had led the Orleans faction's army to recover most of France and support Prince Charles's ascension to the throne.

They're both 19 years old, but the difference is just too big!

At this moment, the current head of the Thousand World Tree Clan, who was in some ways the same age as the current head, felt quite ashamed.

"If neither of you has any objections, Berserker Frankenstein and Lancer Saint Vlad III are hereby removed from the Black Faction."

Just as Joan of Arc and Fiore were discussing their next plans, the church scribe Calleber, who was standing nearby, opened a book and gave them a reminder.

"Okay, please."

Fiore instinctively gave an answer to a matter that had already been settled.

As Caleb began to write, Joan of Arc looked up in a daze, staring in surprise at the church's representative.

"Wait, you just called him Saint Vlad III? Isn't that a prefix reserved for saints?"

"What, is there a problem, Your Highness?"

Calleber looked surprised and puzzled.

"Have you forgotten that this Grand Duke Dracula was canonized as a saint for defending the glory of the Lord by resisting the expansion of the Ottoman Turks?"

Gradually, the saintess, immersed in a kind of dazed mood, looked up thoughtfully, reached out to catch the moonlight falling from the sky, her pure purple eyes gazing into the deep night, and the corners of her slightly tense lips unconsciously curving into a shallow arc.

The Shield of Christ, Holy Dracula...

I see……

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Lingxia Seized the "Future" (4.3k)

Night falls in the courtyard.