Fate/Magus Path

136 Ally!

As the crimson orb of magical energy flickered at the tip of Roy's finger, it unleashed an overwhelming storm of red energy, compressed to an unimaginable degree, cascading between him and Merem.

The devastating crimson tempest roared with immense magical energy, making Merem's eyes widen in shock.

What the hell?!

There was no mistaking it... this man intended to kill him outright, with no hesitation or even a hint of probing. It was clear Roy had mistaken him for Roa or one of his accomplices.

I'm done for. This is a disaster.

Seeing the relentless magical storm advancing toward him, Merem finally realized that he had severely underestimated Roy's power. He was in serious trouble.

From the terrifying precision of Roy's senses to the sheer volume of magical energy he could unleash at will, it was clear, no further testing was needed. This wasn't an opponent he could hope to defeat.

Merem remembered Ciel's words before he came here.

"The pressure I felt from that man was no less than what Narbareck, that lunatic... perhaps even greater."

At the time, Merem had thought Ciel was exaggerating. Even if Roy was on the same level as that lunatic, it wouldn't matter. Merem wasn't confident about beating the lunatic, but he could always escape. That confidence led him here, lying in wait to test the protector of the White Princess of the True Ancestors.

If Roy turned out to be a hollow reputation, killing him could be passed off as an accident during his hunt for Roa's subordinates.

On the other hand, if Roy truly was strong, Merem could simply withdraw and avoid any further confrontation.

But now, a third possibility had reared its head.

This guy isn't just strong... he's overwhelmingly, incomprehensibly stronger than me.

And now, I can't run.

He finally understood the meaning behind Ciel's pitiful gaze when she warned him.

"If you're losing badly and he's about to kill you, try mentioning my name and begging for mercy. Maybe he'll let you live."

Yet here, there wasn't even time to explain himself. Merem wasn't a Dead Apostle with a reinforced body, nor did he have Nrvnqsr Chaos's absurd regenerative abilities.

If he took that blast head-on, he would be utterly annihilated.

Facing the impending red tempest, Merem steeled himself despite the panic in his heart.

"Come on... don't let me down now, Lady Windup!"

Refusing to take the attack directly, Merem's right hand flared with magical energy. Pouring everything he had into it, he invoked his trump card. With a thunderous crack, a towering white figure over ten meters tall materialized before him.

Lady Windup... also known as the Daemon of the Right Arm sealed within Merem's right arm and his most prized war machine.

An exceptional daemon capable of self-evolving intelligence, Lady Windup could adapt its state to gain the upper hand in any battle.

But now, after only a brief skirmish, Merem had been forced to summon his most powerful weapon.

"Block the attack and retreat immediately. Do not engage further."

From behind, Merem barked out a series of orders to Lady Windup.

"Acknowledged."

The daemon nodded slightly, placing Merem in its abdominal compartment before straightening its massive form. Without hesitation, it braced itself against the oncoming crimson torrent of magical energy.