[FMMIKA] Chapter 266: Reconnaissance

Chaldea's strategic situation against 'Charles VII' looked far from promising.

Even with guerrilla-style tactics, they had managed to inflict minor, inconsequential losses on France's southern territories. It was like trying to put a dent in a mountain with a needle; it had no significant impact on France's progress.

If it weren't for Chaldea's formidable reputation, France probably wouldn't even give them a second thought. They'd likely delegate the matter to some local authorities, instead of sending a powerful force here.

The current mood of Jalter and her colleagues was quite similar.

'So, our enemies are this pathetic?'

Hidden in the shadows of the forest, using magecraft for optical camouflage, Jalter, Carmilla, and d'Eon approached Chaldea's hideout. The three of them couldn't help but think that way.

"They're nothing but a bunch of weaklings." Carmilla grumbled dissatisfiedly. "Back where we come from, even if we knocked them out cold and tried to sell them as slaves, we wouldn't get much."

"The quality of their personnel is indeed disappointing." d'Eon nodded in agreement with Carmilla's assessment.

'What's that fellow even doing?' Jalter pondered, observing from a unique perspective. She was criticizing her white version, the so-called 'sister'. 'Why she doesn't do anything to them?'

Jeanne was the type to buff people's morale akin to brainwashing. Many bandits and thugs, with just a few words from her, would turn into patriots, ready to fight for the country.

Jalter wasn't surprised by the poor quality of Chaldea's group. What surprised her was that Jeanne hadn't used her buff on them after all this time.

It felt frustrating when your nemesis didn't perform well and half-assed.

"Should we attack?"

As they watched this unruly bunch of bandits causing a ruckus—fighting and feasting—Carmilla's eyes sparkled with eagerness to take down Chaldea.

"If we attack now, we could win, but it wouldn't serve much purpose." Jalter thought for a moment and shook her head. "They have the number advantage."

Carmilla wasn't a fool. She immediately understood what Jalter meant.

Despite the chaos within the guerilla group, the main force of the group, the Servants, remained unaffected.

Marie, Jeanne, Kiyohime, and Elizabeth, along with Mash, made up a total of five significant figures. They were the backbone of Chaldea, the leaders of the guerilla group.

The Anti-Chaldea trio had initially come for reconnaissance. To avoid being detected, they hadn't brought any troops with them.

So, if they were to fight, it would be three against five. The chances of winning weren't in their favor.

"Let's retreat for now." Jalter said calmly as she made the best and most realistic decision.

"Alright."

"We don't have much choice."

So, the trio retreated quietly. They planned to regroup their troops, annihilate Chaldea, and scatter their remains like ashes.

But just before they could execute their plan...

"I hear something! Who's there?!"

The slight noise they made during their retreat alerted Mash, who promptly responded.

Thinking quickly, Mash fired a light beam with her sword without hesitation toward the noise's source.

Witnessing this, the Anti-Chaldea trio also sprang into action.

Jalter yelled "Run!" and promptly turned to flee, leaving Carmilla and d'Eon momentarily stunned.

"So resolute?!" d'Eon yelled surprisedly as they were dragged by Jalter.

It was hard to tell if it was a compliment for Mash's quick reaction or a dig at Jalter for fleeing.

Then, as Jalter fled and dragged d'Eon with her, she felt the weight on her hand was too light.

When Jalter finally looked back after her successful escape, she realized that only the upper half of d'Eon's body remained. The lower half had been completely obliterated by the light beam.

"Damn them!"

Watching this scene unfold, Carmilla, feeling embarrassed, stopped in her tracks and prepared to go back for revenge.

"Calm down! This fellow is hanging on by a thread, but we can still save them." Jalter said as she reached out and held Carmilla back.

"I don't give a damn if this shemale live or die. What I care about is my reputation! My reputation! What will His Majesty think of me?!" Carmilla exclaimed with anger.

"You woman! See how I will stab you!"

Upon hearing Carmilla's exclamation, d'Eon, who had been playing dead on the ground, suddenly opened their eyes and shouted at her angrily.

Despite their gruesome appearance with their lower body a bloody mess, there was no need to worry too much. Servants could recover as long as there was enough magical energy. For d'Eon, this incident was just like undergoing surgery.

"All right, let's not argue. Let's head back first and proceed with the original plan." Jalter said calmly, defusing the tension, before turning and leaving.

At the same time, at Chaldea's hideout, Ritsuka stumbled over to Mash.

"What's wrong?! What's wrong?!"

"Senpai, don't get too close to me. You smell of alcohol."

"Don't be so heartless, my little eggplant~"

"Senpai, you're drunk."

"It's easier to work when I'm drunk~"

Originally, Ritsuka had wanted to hold onto Mash and do lewd things, but before she could make a move, Mash dodged. Ritsuka lunged and nearly stumbled, casting a slightly pitiful look at Mash.

"Hiks, Mash is bullying me."

"You are an embarrassemet, Senpai..."

Seeing that Ritsuka was too drunk to do anything, Jeanne tried to keep her composure and asked the serious question everyone wanted an answer to.

"What happened just now, Mash? Why did you suddenly attack?"

"I sensed someone just now." After Jeanne's inquiry, Mash became serious and replied, "Someone was spying on us not far from here."

"Yeah, I felt it too." Kiyohime nodded seriously.

"Felt it? I don't think you felt it, but you definitely did after Mash's attack and that spy's escape, right?" Elizabeth playfully chimed in. Of course, what she said wasn't entirely wrong; in fact, it was the correct interpretation.

"Damn lizard!" Kiyohime exclaimed with anger.

"You are a damn lizard! Your entire family are damn lizards!" Elizabeth didn't want to lose and retorted back.

Everyone ignored the bickering between the two eccentric fools and continued their discussion. However, aside from Ritsuka, the women present had somewhat solemn expressions.

They weren't drunk and weren't as thick-skinned as Ritsuka, so they understood that the real test for them was about to begin.