[FMMIKA] Chapter 271: Bombardment

"Well, well, even if the enemy lays an ambush, it doesn't matter. The ultimate victory will still be ours in the end, hahaha!"

Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Ritsuka said and laughed joyfully.

"I suggest you stop jinxing it, Senpai! How about focusing on finding a solution instead?! We can't continue like this forever!"

Mash, as Gudako's Counter Force, protested loudly.

"Uhh... yeah, we really need to figure something out." Ritsuka returned to reality and said nervously.

In a rare moment, Ritsuka refrained from arguing with Mash and started to think seriously. It was evident to everyone that when she put her mind to it, she had some capability.

While the situation of Chaldea was favorable, simply holding the defensive line indefinitely was not a viable strategy.

The seemingly endless onslaught of enemy forces raised questions about France's investment and the size of its army. Continuing this way seemed futile.

"We need to find a way to escape!" Ritsuka said decisively.

"Agreed, let's ask Mari-chan for some advice—"

At the same time, back at Chaldea's headquarters, a certain frail doctor fumbled with nervousness, contributing very little to the current situation.

Da Vinci, however, had a serious expression. "We need to break through, maybe consider the sea route. It has the fewest enemy forces."

"True, there are fewer enemies by sea, but..." Ritsuka was about to continue discussing with Da Vinci when, amid the endless army of steam chasseurs, the Anti-Chaldea trio was also having a discussion.

In contrast to Chaldea, which was currently under attack and in a dire situation, the Anti-Chaldea trio seemed rather relaxed.

Carmilla grinned as if she had just caught the Evil Queen from Snow White. It appeared that she was savoring their revenge for the embarrassing escape from Chaldea after their reconnaissance mission earlier.

"Fufu, these guys don't seem to be much." Carmilla chuckled. "Even if they send more troops, we can handle them."

"That's true..." d'Eon nodded and appeared eager. "Now, isn't it our turn to take the stage?"

After saying this, both d'Eon and Carmilla looked at Jalter.

This time, Jalter had devised the plan, and it was apparent that her confidence had risen.

"Let's wait a bit longer." Jalter contemplated and then shook her head. "The enemy probably has some hidden trump cards. Keep our forces attacking and deplete their magical energy first."

From this, it was clear that Jalter was cautious of the enemy.

"After all, we are just three." She added.

"Then let them enjoy a little longer..." Carmilla said while grinding her teeth but not resisting.

The number of steam chasseurs was substantial, and they were expendable, making them perfect cannon fodder.

While Ritsuka's group was depleting their energy, magical energy, and patience, Jalter's group only needed to spend time and patience.

Jalter's strategy was to use their numerical advantage in cannon fodder to wear down the enemy.

"Goddammit!"

"At this rate, it's never-ending!"

"These soldiers are completely automated. It's absurd that they can mass-produce robots even in the steam era!"

"But it's some kind of magecraft."

"It's beyond comprehension."

After an intense battle that lasted nearly an hour, Ritsuka's group was out of breath.

The area they were using as a defense line was no longer reliable.

Under relentless artillery fire, the cargo ship that was supposed to be their cover had become a junk pile and broke in two, sinking into the water.

This created a significant vulnerability in their defensive formation.

Now, Elizabeth couldn't engage in long-range attacks and had to hold a lance-like microphone, while Marie's firepower couldn't be evenly distributed; she had to focus on the rear of the formation to assist Jeanne.

As a result, the pressure on Mash in the front and Kiyohime on the flanks increased abruptly, making the battle increasingly unfavorable for Chaldea.

'We need to retreat quickly. When Da Vinci mentioned a sea route, she surely didn't mean swimming, right? Or perhaps... a ship—does she expect us to seize the enemy's ship? But even if we manage that, it's still too risky, isn't it?!'

Watching the never-ending mechanical wyverns raining down from the sky, Ritsuka couldn't help but wonder.

These mechanical wyverns were not only formidable in close combat but also had potent long-range firepower. Even if they managed to seize a ship, it might not change anything, as they would likely be bombarded the next second and the ship sunk.

'When the time comes and the ship sunk—wait?!'

With that thought in mind, Ritsuka suddenly realized something.

"Servants won't drown, will they?!"

"No, Senpai! Did you—oh, is it about what Da Vinci said about retreating by sea?"

Although most of her attention was focused on the front lines, Mash quickly grasped Ritsuka's meaning. After firing a light beam at another wave of steam chasseurs, she exclaimed, "Then let's go, Senpai!"

"Ou, let's go!"

With that said, Ritsuka mounted a horse—it was Marie's steed, a crystalline-like horse that exuded a magical girl-like aura.

"Retreat, retreat, we're retreating by sea!"

Ritsuka shouted loudly as her group maintained their formation while advancing toward the ocean, fighting steam chasseurs, wyverns, and braving gunfire.

The progress was slow but resolute. It seemed like France's cannon fodder troops couldn't stop them.

"Can our troops go into the water?"

Watching the scene for a moment, the Anti-Chaldea trio realized the group of Chaldea's intent. Carmilla looked a bit puzzled and turned to d'Eon for an answer.

Before d'Eon could respond, Jalter made a decision.

"Attack. It's our turn—first, switch to anti-magic shells and fire a round!"

Following Jalter's command, both the land and sea artillery quickly adjusted their firing parameters and loaded special shells with a crossed magic wand pattern.

"Danger!"

Following Ritsuka's lead, the Servants sensed something was amiss.

Mash quickly raised her shield against the sky like an umbrella, protecting everyone, while Marie enhanced Mash's shield with magecraft.

The two collaborated seamlessly, providing all-around protection for the group.

Soon, came a series of intense bombardment explosions.

*BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!*

The shockwaves alone could shatter one's internal organs, and the powerful explosions created craters over ten meters in diameter.

More importantly, the anti-magic effect of these explosions rapidly depleted the magical energy of Mash and Marie.

This is precisely what made the empire's anti-magic shell special.

When it came to disrupting and depleting magical energy, it outperformed conventional shells by a factor of ten, or even more.

Crafting this expensive and rare shell left no room for doubt about its intentions, making it a nemesis against beings as transcendent as mages.

This time, this type of shell also proved to be highly effective against Servants.

Mash, acting as a physical shield, could hold on, but Marie, relying on pure magecraft defenses, couldn't endure.

Being a delicate young lady who had just engaged in fierce combat, her magical energy was almost depleted.

"No, I can't take any more. I'm going to be drained completely."

If Marie collapsed just like that, the Chaldea team, especially Ritsuka as an ordinary human, would be in dire straits.

But just before that could happen...

"Then let's do it!"

Saying this, Ritsuka hugged Marie, performing a magical energy replenishment through a kiss—she seemed so practiced and fluent that it was evident she had been contemplating this situation for some time.

Perhaps she had been harboring such fantasies for a while, similar to how martial artists in the world of martial arts novels anticipated intimate exchanges with their martial siblings and masters.

Marie: "!!!"

Once Ritsuka embraced her and began the kiss, Marie reacted first with surprise, then vigorously attempted to resist. Unfortunately, she couldn't escape the embrace.

Her magical energy was restored, but Marie was left with tears of reluctance.