That day, the weather was exceptionally clear, with not a single cloud in the sky. Apart from the ever-present luminous belt hanging in the heavens, the only thing left in the vast expanse was the blazing sun—nothing else.
Such weather was certainly convenient for launching an expedition.
However, for Rozen and his forces, who were preparing to besiege the Holy City, this cloudless and sunny weather was far from ideal.
Because it meant two things.
First, during the assault, the enemy's field of vision would be exceptionally broad, and their archers would be able to unleash a relentless barrage, making it difficult to advance.
Second, with the sun shining high in the sky, the troublesome enemy known as the Knight of the Sun would be able to exert his full power—if not more.
Undoubtedly, these were two major disadvantages.
But that was only a concern for when they actually reached the Holy City.
Before that, Rozen and his forces still had to figure out a way to break into the city.
At this moment, a horde of dragon species was soaring through the sky in great numbers, as if blotting out the sun, heading straight for the Holy City.
On the ground, a vast army was advancing as well.
Countless monsters, numbering in the tens of thousands, along with a dense formation of golems, moved forward in unison.
Among them, the warriors of the Mountain People were either riding on horseback, mounted atop golems, or astride monstrous creatures as they pressed forward toward the Holy City.
The sheer scale of this advancing army stirred up waves of dust across the wilderness, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Rozen, Mash, Hassan of Serenity, Bedivere, Jeanne [Alter], and Artoria [Alter] were each riding atop a dragon, leading the charge at the very front.
It wasn't long before Hassan of Serenity, with her keen eyesight, spotted their destination.
"Rozen-sama! The Holy City is in sight!"
She called out loudly to Rozen.
Rozen immediately lifted his gaze, looking ahead.
And there it was—on the far edge of the horizon, the millennia-old, pure-white royal city finally emerged into view.
It appeared just as it had the last time Rozen and Mash had come here, as if it would remain unchanged for eternity.
Except…
"A barrier!"
Mash also called out loudly.
Indeed.
A barrier.
Unlike last time, the Holy City was now surrounded on all sides by layers of radiant barriers that had risen at some unknown point, enveloping the entire city in protection.
These barriers were not just surrounding the city—they were erected specifically to cut off all paths leading to it.
Every few kilometers, one such barrier stood, forming layers of luminous walls with the Holy City at their core, completely blocking off any possible approach.
Moreover, the magical energy radiating from these barriers was utterly terrifying.
"A defensive barrier of Noble Phantasm level?"
"This is way too unfair…!"
Artoria [Alter] spoke with a cold voice, while Jeanne [Alter] gritted her teeth, both of them looking visibly displeased.
In front of them stood ten layers of barriers in total, each one at the level of a Noble Phantasm. Even Artoria [Alter]'s Holy Sword and Jeanne [Alter]'s flames would struggle to break through them.
With such barriers in place, ordinary enemies wouldn't even get the chance to engage in battle with the Holy City—they would be left standing outside, helplessly watching as the Holy Lance activated, powerless to do anything.
"Master!"
Bedivere, the only Servant present who had not formed a contract with Rozen, called out to him.
Rozen did not hesitate. His voice, carrying an undeniable authority, resounded in everyone's ears.
"Charge straight through. Do not stop."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a surge of determination and followed Rozen's command without hesitation, continuing their charge.
Inside Chaldea, the staff's reports echoed across the room.
"Contact with the first barrier in five seconds!"
Their voices rang throughout the battlefield.
"5!"
The dragon horde roared.
"4!"
The monsters surged forward.
"3!"
The golems rumbled as they advanced.
"2!"
The warriors shouted in unison.
"1!"
The Servants unleashed waves of tremendous magical energy.
"0!"
The moment of contact with the luminous wall arrived.
"Now!"
Kneeling atop the lead dragon, Rozen finally raised a hand.
From his body, magical energy erupted like a crimson mist.
"Come forth! The third Beast Vassal—Al Meissa Mercury!"
A monstrous being, long unseen, now returned to the battlefield.
"ROAR!"
With a violent bellow, enveloped in a shroud of crimson mist, a twin-headed dragon covered in mercury-colored scales emerged into existence.
And from the moment it was summoned, the beast's massive body swelled, its size expanding rapidly due to the terrifying influx of magical power, reaching nearly a hundred meters in height.
"Bite through it!"
At Rozen's command, the colossal twin-headed dragon surged forward.
From its two heads, mouths like bottomless voids appeared, as though they were gateways to infinite space—black holes that could consume even the very fabric of reality.
The dimensional devourer lunged forth.
"BOOM—!"
Without any resistance, the Noble Phantasm-grade defensive barrier shattered like glass in the dragon's fangs.
This was Rozen's trump card for dealing with the first major obstacle.
Whether it was the Holy Grail's barriers or the city walls formed by the Holy Lance, none could resist the consuming power of Al Meissa Mercury—not even for a single moment.
"ROAR!"
"ROAR!"
The twin-headed dragon bellowed, surging ahead toward the second barrier, leaving the main army behind.
Seeing this, all those who had been bracing to fight against the barriers widened their eyes in astonishment.
Then, without exception, their expressions turned to elation.
"Charge!"
"Charge!"
Roars of exhilaration erupted from the troops.
"Go!"
The Servants shouted, their voices echoing across the battlefield, as the dragon horde roared in unison and the ground forces howled in excitement. A storm of dust rose as they charged relentlessly toward the Holy City.
"BOOM—!"
The mercury-colored twin-headed dragon had already shattered the second barrier, sending shards of luminous wall cascading like glass before they disintegrated into magical energy upon touching the ground.
Thus, the advancing army pressed forward, unstoppable.
—Meanwhile, within the Holy City, atop the royal throne.
There, seated as if in deep slumber, a goddess finally opened her eyes.
Her star-like gaze shimmered.
"They have arrived?"
The Lion King murmured expressionlessly before directing her gaze toward the two knights standing below.
"Knights, go forth."
Her command was concise.
"As you commend!"
Agravain's eyes glowed coldly as he responded.
"...Understood."
Gawain bowed his head in acknowledgment.
The last two remaining Knights of the Round Table in the Holy City departed, leaving only the Lion King behind.
"Come, humans."
At last, the Lion King raised her hand.
Within her grasp, the Holy Lance shone with brilliance.