Chapter 1001: The Great Calamity Descends!
"Panic is spreading everywhere in the city now—it's impossible to maintain normal urban functions!"
"No choice. Judging by the current pace, the Great Calamity will likely erupt today!"
Even Grimm and Muramasa had lost their previous nonchalance.
No one felt like bickering amid such a tense and critical moment.
"Before the calamity breaks out, let's hold a strategy meeting!"
Da Vinci-chan promptly spoke up, gathering everyone's attention.
"Currently, we lack detailed intelligence about the Great Calamity. We can only judge based on the most common form of calamity occurrence—a large-scale Mors battle!"
"Mors usually only appear in the wild, not within the city. So as long as we guard the east and west gates and prevent them from being breached, we can protect Norwich!"
"Fortunately, our combat strength here is quite sufficient. With Count Peperoncino's assistance and support, our chances of winning this battle are very high!"
Da Vinci-chan seemed quite confident.
With so many Servants and fairies gathered, plus an unreasonable powerhouse like Eiji, it'd be impressive if they weren't getting carried away!
"If anyone needs anything, just let me know!"
Peperoncino winked at everyone, putting on a charming, flirtatious demeanor.
"Uh... well, could you find me more fairy volunteers willing to contribute magical energy?"
Eiji shuddered slightly.
But for the sake of safety, he had to steel himself and make the request.
"Leave it to me!"
Peperoncino immediately thumped his chest and agreed, not even bothering to ask for details.
"Then, let's immediately discuss our deployment!"
Da Vinci-chan declared, ready for action.
...
To the east of Norwich lay an endless expanse of sea.
Even looking ten kilometers out, or hundreds, even thousands of kilometers away, all that met the eye was the vacant, void-like sea, devoid of anything.
"This Lostbelt... I heard it's only Britain?"
Eiji stood on level ground, gazing at the sea turned dark and murky by the rain clouds.
"The continents beyond Britain... seem to have all vanished?"
"That's what I've heard, yes."
Muramasa nodded upon hearing this, his expression slightly puzzled.
"What a strange world. The other Lostbelts are shrouded by Storm Walls, reduced to only their own territories, but before becoming Lostbelts, they all had a complete Earth. Only this Lostbelt... the situation is completely incomprehensible!"
"So, in your world, there are other countries beyond Britain?"
Gareth's eyes sparkled with longing starlight.
"I'd really love to see what such a world is like. It must be much more interesting than ours, right, my lord?"
"W-well, I suppose... By the way, could you please stop using that 'my lord' title? It's so embarrassing it makes me want to curl my toes!"
Artoria's face flushed bright red, utterly mortified.
"Absolutely not! I am my lord's number one retainer!"
Gareth declared with a proud expression.
"Ahaha..."
Artoria gave a dry laugh and fell silent.
The east gate of Norwich was thus guarded by Eiji, Muramasa, Castoria, and Gareth.
Behind them lay the gates of Norwich.
Correspondingly, the western gate was guarded by Grimm, Habenyan, Tristan, and Da Vinci-chan.
Gudao, skilled in summoning, and Mash were responsible for central coordination.
Only Oberon had nothing to do.
According to him, he wasn't a combat-type Heroic Spirit and wasn't good at handling such situations.
Considering how he often braved wind and rain to bring back useful intelligence, everyone let him be, as their current combat strength was more than sufficient.
"Something on your mind?"
Eiji glanced sideways at Artoria.
"Huh? No, not at all?"
Artoria blinked, then flashed her usual smile.
It looked so natural, as if she were forcing herself to agree with something.
She was quite skilled at lying, so most people probably couldn't see through it.
But Eiji wasn't most people.
"Stop lying. Your face is as pale as if you're on your period!"
He even shamelessly tore through Artoria's facade.
"——"
Artoria made a face that said, "This guy is so annoying," and silently hid behind Muramasa, refusing to speak to Eiji.
"Hey, even if that's true, you should choose your metaphors more carefully!"
Muramasa glared at him fiercely, thinking that if only he weren't so outmatched, he'd have taken a swing or two at him!
Damn it, "on her period"!
If you don't know how to talk, just shut up!
R-really?
Artoria's face stiffened.
Could he really tell?
"I-I'm just worried about whether I'll be of any use…"
She stammered with a forced laugh.
"I mean, I'm pretty weak, right?"
"It's alright, my lord! This time, your Merlin-style magecraft will surely have its chance to shine!"
Seeing this, Gareth quickly cheered her on.
"I've been meaning to ask, what kind of magecraft did you learn from Merlin?"
Eiji looked at her suspiciously.
If she really studied under Merlin, why couldn't she even set up a proper beast-repelling barrier that night?
"I don't want to talk to you!"
Unexpectedly, Artoria, who had been timid just moments before, glared at him fiercely, turned her head away, and gave him the back of her head.
"Wall-scaling, lock-picking, infiltration, sleeping pills… that's what she said before."
Muramasa interjected abruptly, wearing an expression of concern as if worrying about his granddaughter's future.
"Muramasa!"
Artoria bared her shark-like teeth, her face flushing bright red, and chased after Muramasa, slapping him repeatedly.
Eiji's expression turned subtle.
Are these things… really magecraft?
Did Merlin really teach her this?
And not some third-rate magecraft instructor using Merlin's name to swindle people?
"The Calamity is coming!"
Suddenly, Gareth's face tightened, and she shouted sharply.
"It's here?"
Muramasa and Artoria immediately prepared for battle.
"Where?"
Eiji's gaze sharpened instantly, turning toward the coastline.
"It hasn't appeared yet—"
Before he could finish speaking.
From the distant horizon, dark, aberrant figures began to emerge one after another!
Their forms were as dark and ominous as a curse, writhing in a way unlike any living being.
Just looking at them felt as if a curse were seeping into one's eyes.
Endless ash fell from the rain clouds, gathering on the sea's surface, forming one Mors after another, swarming toward the shore in droves!
No!
Not just the sea surface!
Even the open grounds around Norwich gradually gave birth to one Mors after another!
Unlike the mindless Mors of the past that only followed their instincts, these Mors seemed to be under someone's command—they never lingered elsewhere but surged relentlessly toward the city gates!
"The Great Calamity has begun!!!"
A desperate roar echoed from the city walls.
"Dang-dang-dang—!"
Somewhere, a bell tolled nine times in rapid succession.
The greatest disaster in history had thus descended upon this port city without warning!