In Greek mythology, there is a very famous goddess.
The goddess's name is Hecate, the queen of the underworld and creator and manager of hell. She is renowned as the goddess of death and also the deity who governs magic.
She once aided the god of Greek mythology, Zeus, in defeating the Cyclops, and even Zeus had to show her respect.
She presides over spirits, magic, and spells, often appearing in graveyards, hunting during the night. Only dogs can see her, and their barking signals her presence.
It is said that this goddess appears during imminent lunar eclipses, accompanied by various monsters and spirits.
Her symbols include torches, crossroads, wolves, mares, yew trees, mandrakes, and snakes.
Of course, the snake clinging to Rozen's arm wasn't transformed from Hecate; it was just an mid-tier familiar.
However, just like how owls can traverse between the underworld, Rozen used this knowledge to summon a demonic spirit owl capable of consuming ethereal bodies.
At this moment, the snake summoned by Rozen wasn't an ordinary creature; it was a spirit.
"Hecate is both the goddess of the underworld and a renowned deity of magic. Besides representing life and death, the snake associated with her is also a symbol of magic."
Rozen's voice conveyed this clearly.
"While the magical spirit I summoned can't use miraculous magic, it possesses a unique ability. It can lurk within living beings, absorb their magical energy, amplify and expand the spells acting upon them. It can even be used to amplify and reawaken previously cast spells on the host."
This explanation made both Jeanne and Jeanne Alter, who understood the reason behind it, awaken to the situation.
"Could it be..."
Jeanne's expression suddenly became enlightened.
Jeanne Alter was also taken aback, almost blurting out:
"You reawakened the previous hypnosis..."
That's right.
Under the influence of the magical spirit, the hypnosis spell cast by Amadeus on Fafnir two days ago had been reawakened.
However, that wasn't all.
With Fafnir's power, a mere hypnosis spell would have had no effect. Amadeus was successful because Fafnir was napping at the time. Amadeus merely deepened its sleep, making it less likely to awaken.
In other words, if Fafnir had been awake from the start and ready to unleash destruction, the hypnosis spell would have been utterly ineffective.
Yet, the magical spirit didn't merely reawaken the previously cast spell. To make the spell effective, it also needed to stealthily absorb magical energy from the host.
Two days ago, Rozen had thrown the magical spirit onto Fafnir, allowing the snake to silently absorb its magical energy for a full two days.
Given the amount of magical energy present in such powerful dragon, the apex of Phantasmal species, it was easy to imagine.
As a result, the effect of the hypnosis spell, which had previously been cast on Fafnir, was amplified by the expenditure of this magical energy, unleashing astonishing power.
"Although it's impossible to make it sleep continuously, at least until this battle ends, it won't be able to wake up again."
While letting the snake on his arm gradually disappear, Rozen made a declaration to his enemies.
"Furthermore, with the Wyvern horde outside being held back, the Servants you summoned are all fighting on the outside. On our side, we also have two Servants, caster being the only one here to assist you. Although I can't say the situation is favorable for us, now the outcome is uncertain, right?"
Rozen's declaration caused Jeanne Alter, who had to watch Fafnir fall into a deep sleep, to wear an unpleasant expression.
"Hmph!"
Jeanne Alter suddenly raised the black flag in her hand, causing blazing flames to ignite.
However, those flames were not directed towards Rozen's group; they were aimed at the slumbering Fafnir.
Even if the hypnosis had been effective, wouldn't attacking Fafnir wake it up? Jeanne Alter directed the inferno of hellfire towards the fallen dragon.
"Don't even think about it!"
Rozen acted as though he had foreseen this, activating his magic.
"Boom!"
The pit under Fafnir collapsed once again.
Several demonic ants burrowed out from underground, expanding the crater created by Fafnir's appearance. Fafnir, still in deep slumber, plummeted into the pit, accompanied by numerous rocks and debris.
The fierce flames spread throughout the hall but halted their expansion due to the collapsed ground. They ignited the edge of the pit slightly late, without even touching Fafnir.
"You...!"
It wasn't Jeanne Alter who reacted vehemently, but rather Caster.
"Unforgivable...! Unforgivable...! Unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable...!"
Caster screamed with a contorted face, and his magical energy surged like it was going berserk.
In his hand, the Prelati's Spellbook responded to Caster's outburst and started to take effect.
In the next moment, sea monsters emerged from all directions in the hall's shadow, both large and small. Some had long tentacles, while others spewed deadly venom, all heading toward Rozen's location.
"Mash!"
Rozen merely called out her name.
"Understood!"
Mash immediately responded, moving forward instead of retreating, meeting the incoming attacks.
Venom and tentacles came from all directions.
Using only her shield, Mash had to block all of these attacks.
In this moment, Mash remembered the scene in the large cavern of the Fuyuki singularity.
Back then, in order to respond to her trusted Senpai and to protect her most important Master, Mash had successfully unleashed her Noble Phantasm.
Afterward, with training, Mash became able to use this Noble Phantasm continuously.
Although it wasn't the true power and form of that Noble Phantasm, to make it easier to use, Olga Marie, the director of Chaldea, had given it a name.
"Virtual Noble Phantasm Pseudo-Deployment/Foundation of Anthropic Principle (Lord Chaldeas)!"
When this name, accompanied by Mash's clear voice, echoed forth, radiant light blossomed from the emblem on the shield.
The light transformed into a sturdy defensive barrier. As it extended from the shield, it blocked the attacks coming from all directions.
"Sizzle...!"
The venom that landed on the barrier emitted a corrosive sound.
"Bang bang bang bang bang...!"
Tentacles struck the barrier, causing muffled thuds.
Using her Noble Phantasm, Mash safeguarded Rozen.
"Tch...!"
Jeanne Alter clicked her tongue and waved the black flag. However, before she could make any moves, she was stopped.
"Your opponent is me!"
The Maiden of Orleans, wielding the holy flag, appeared before Jeanne Alter.
"Don't get in my way!"
Jeanne Alter shouted, directing her aggression toward Jeanne.
Thus, the battle commenced.