Miracle Summoner

Above the desert, dozens of Sphinxes formed a circle before pouncing toward a single location below.

Unfortunately, their assault was met with a thunderous counterattack.

"Come forth! The first Beast Vassal — Mesarthim Adamas!"

As this voice rang out, accompanied by a spray of blood mist, a colossal diamond goat, many times larger than the Sphinxes, emerged. Rising on its hind legs, it conjured countless gem-like crystalline barriers.

"Boom—!"

The moment the Sphinxes touched these gem-like barriers, it was as if they had slammed into an indestructible wall. The impact waves were reflected instantly.

In the blink of an eye, the Sphinxes, apex Phantasmal Species capable of rivaling the strongest Dragonkind, were flung like bouncing balls, crashing into various corners of the desert and stirring up massive clouds of sand.

Just like that, the mighty divine beasts, each capable of challenging the strongest servants, were all lying defeated, unable to rise for the time being.

Only then did the diamond goat gradually vanish, revealing Rozen and Mash.

"Amazing... truly amazing, Senpai!"

Mash couldn't help but gaze at Rozen with admiration.

Although she'd seen Rozen in action before, his previous battles were against singular opponents like the Lion King or Tristan. Seeing him take on dozens of divine beasts at once and send them flying with overwhelming force was even more awe-inspiring.

However, Rozen appeared unfazed.

"If it were you now, using your Noble Phantasm, you could achieve the same result."

Rozen patted Mash's head as he spoke.

Mash, surprisingly, didn't deny it. Instead, she shyly lowered her head, letting Rozen continue patting her.

Watching Mash like this, Rozen recalled a thought:

So cute, I just want to...

As this thought crossed his mind, Rozen began feeling an urge rising within him.

(Come to think of it, it has been a while since I've had....)

Rozen's gaze toward Mash subtly shifted.

This change in Rozen's expression made Mash feel an inexplicable sense of fear.

(Why has Senpai's gaze suddenly become... a little scary?)

Mash couldn't help but think this as she felt increasingly uneasy.

Rozen's stare was simply too direct, as if he wanted to devour her whole, skin and all. This made Mash both nervous and strangely weak at the knees.

The atmosphere between them grew ambiguous.

At that moment, Chaldea's communications were conveniently cut off, leaving this situation unmonitored.

If it weren't for the inappropriate setting and circumstances, the two might have engaged in something far more... notable.

But, of course, such moments are always interrupted.

"Rustle... rustle..."

The sound of shifting sand announced the return of unwelcome guests.

The Sphinxes that had been buried in the desert began to rise, breaking the tension between Rozen and Mash entirely.

"Their endurance is truly remarkable."

Rozen turned his gaze to the Sphinxes struggling to stand and frowned.

"What should we do, Senpai?"

Mash raised her shield, her expression now serious.

"We have no choice but to finish them off."

Rozen made his decision without hesitation.

"Understood!"

Mash resolutely responded.

Although their opponents were divine beasts on par with the strongest servants, and not just one but dozens of them, neither Rozen nor Mash showed any sign of fear.

For them, large numbers weren't much of an advantage.

Even Mash, though not dismissive of the Sphinxes, was confident that, at the very least, she could protect Rozen and ensure their safe retreat.

This confidence was rooted in her role as a top-tier shield-bearer.

As for Rozen, his thoughts were even simpler.

"One strike to shatter you all into pieces!"

Blood mist began to rise from Rozen's body.

However, just as the clash was about to resume, something unexpected occurred.

"—!"

"—!"

The Sphinxes, as if sensing something or receiving a command, suddenly turned their heads in unison toward a specific direction.

Without hesitation, they began retreating, their massive legs thudding heavily against the ground as they dispersed in different directions. Under the cover of the sandstorm, they disappeared without a trace.

"What's... going on?"

Both Rozen and Mash froze in place, visibly confused.

Then, something even stranger happened.

"Whoosh..."

The surrounding sandstorm began to weaken.

In just a moment, the sandstorm vanished entirely, revealing blue skies, white clouds, and the blazing sun overhead.

"The sandstorm stopped...?"

Mash murmured in astonishment.

"No," Rozen corrected, frowning. "Someone stopped the sandstorm."

There was no doubt about it.

Otherwise, the Sphinxes wouldn't have left so suddenly, nor would the sandstorm have dissipated so cleanly.

The cause was obvious.

"Could it be..."

Mash seemed to have guessed something as well.

Noticing this, Rozen smiled faintly.

"If they're showing us this courtesy, avoiding direct conflict, then we might as well accept it. This works in our favor too."

Mash nodded in agreement.

After all, without the Sphinxes or the sandstorm, their mission to find the Mountain People would become much easier.

"Now, finding the missing Mountain People should be simple."

As he spoke, Rozen pulled out a stack of Shikifu.

These weren't talismans for spells or protection but Shikifu used to summon familiars.

"Shikigami Generation!"

Rozen threw the talisman into the air.

The talismans transformed into numerous translucent swallows, an artificial summoning type familiar from the Tokyo Ravens world: WA1 - Swallow Whip.

"Go!"

Rozen sent the familiars flying in all directions to search for the missing Mountain People.

Moments later...

"I found them!"

Rozen opened his eyes and looked in a specific direction.

"You found them?"

Mash brightened up immediately.

This meant the Mountain People who had ventured into the desert weren't completely lost, and their efforts weren't in vain.

Ordinary humans surviving in such a divine-beast-infested area was a miracle.

However, there was an explanation.

"There's a ruin in the desert?"

Indeed.

According to the information relayed by the familiars, there was a ruin within the desert. The Mountain People had taken refuge there, and for some reason, the Sphinxes seemed reluctant to approach the site.

"What kind of place could it be?"

Mash wondered aloud.

"Let's go take a look."

Rozen's eyes gleamed as he made his decision.

Without delay, Rozen summoned a massive dragon. Together with Mash, they mounted it and flew toward the ruins.