The next day.
The army set out, tens of thousands of Mechanical Dolls advancing toward the enemy's main base, the White Palace. Their approach was grand and unsubtle; they intended to push straight through!
The journey to the White Palace was not short, and there were several city strongholds along the way. If these weren't first breached and occupied, the march couldn't proceed.
Although the main force was merely a decoy to attract the enemy's attention, if it seemed too fake, it would surely be discovered. Edison naturally understood this, so his orders to Achilles were straightforward and without frills: *Attack!*
Edison, as President King, was also personally leading the charge. He had constructed a massive, enclosed war machine, and inside, a group of people were discussing tactics. Just then,
"Your kind of war is meaningless! It has no soul!"
Nightingale was also there. She and Geronimo had arrived late last night with several hundred people. They had mobilized villagers from several surrounding villages to seek refuge in Edison's castle.
Edison naturally welcomed this. For this expedition, both Nightingale and Geronimo accompanied the army.
However, not long after boarding the war machine, Nightingale unhappily blurted out that remark.
"Wh-What's wrong?"
Edison frowned. War is meaningless? Has no soul? Was she saying his Mechanical Dolls were useless? Was she saying he definitely couldn't win and was just going to his death?!
If that's what she meant, then he wouldn't hold back from disrespecting women!
"Look at your army! They're all just metal lumps! Now look at the enemy's army! They're all beings that turn into blood when they die! They don't get hurt! They're not afraid of death! Am I not completely superfluous here?"
"..."
Nightingale's words left everyone dumbfounded. Good heavens, so you feel like you're out of a job!
"Ahem... Miss Nightingale, these ordinary soldiers are just ancillary. They aren't the key to this victory. The key to victory lies in the battles between Servants, and there will definitely be casualties in those battles. At that time, please help us treat the wounded."
Edison coughed and said. Nightingale was stunned for a few seconds after hearing this, then tilted her head and looked at everyone present.
She looked at Karna, shaking her head. This guy is too strong; it won't be easy for him to get hurt.
She looked at Black Lancer Alter, shaking her head again. Although she hadn't seen Black Lancer Alter's combat power, her intuition told her that Black Lancer Alter was very strong.
This one won't do, too small. This one won't do either, too old. They probably won't go to the battlefield...
Finally, she scanned the group and saw Geronimo, whose arm was still bandaged, and Helena, who was standing idly beside Geronimo. Then, a happy smile appeared on her face.
"...Hey, hey, hey! Miss Nightingale! Were you just thinking something really awful?!"
Helena's face darkened. Was I just evaluated as someone who gets hurt easily?
Geronimo just smiled, indicating he was used to it.
"Alright, alright, stop messing around."
Edison reached out, signaling Helena to be quiet. Just then,
"Beep beep~"
"Hmm?"
A phone-like device near Edison made a sound. Edison tapped it, and a projection appeared, showing Achilles, who was driving a war machine and leading the front of the convoy.
"Boss, enemy defenses detected ahead. No Servants sighted."
The camera panned. The terrain ahead was a series of rolling hills, covered with Celtic Warriors, each radiating murderous intent.
"No Servants? Are they looking down on us? Achilles! I command you! Lead my Mechanical Dolls! Achieve the first victory of this war! Go!"
Edison shouted. Achilles, shown in the projection, smiled slightly and yelled, "Understood!"
The image then vanished. Mo Shuying twitched his ears. The sound of gunfire was already coming from outside. He didn't pay it much mind. With Achilles leading, if the enemy had no Servants, they definitely wouldn't be able to stop him. The remaining people, or rather, those who would participate in the subsequent assassination mission, wouldn't go out easily. This was to avoid exposing themselves and being noticed or alerted by the enemy.
Indeed, with Achilles spearheading the charge, even if his destructive power wasn't the strongest, he was definitely top-tier when it came to leading an assault. Controlling his chariot and manipulating the wind, no Celtic Soldier could withstand his impact. He repeatedly crushed them back and forth, demonstrating what it meant to charge in and out seven times.
Soon.
The main force walked over numerous bloodstains, heading towards the next checkpoint.
They cleared one obstacle after another, which puzzled everyone. They had already reached Montgomery, yet still hadn't encountered a single enemy Servant, only Celtic Warriors being sent to their deaths.
"Something's not right. What exactly are they planning?"
Edison frowned, his expression solemn. It was too smooth, suspiciously smooth.
"Your Majesty, after we pass the Charlotte Region, we'll reach the White Palace. If they have any schemes, they should reveal themselves soon."
Helena said seriously, holding a map. Clearly, Edison wasn't the only one who sensed something was off.
"Advancing so smoothly, without any resistance, there are only a few possibilities for why the enemy is doing this."
Mo Shuying spoke, one eye closed. He had sent out a Dragon's Eye Phantom earlier to scout ahead, to see if there were any hidden enemy tactics that hadn't been discovered, but so far, nothing had been detected.
"What possibilities?"
Edison asked. He realized that his brain, which was so good for invention and creation, was really not suited for war. Specialization, indeed...
"The first possibility: luring the enemy deep. They're using this method to make us think their interior is empty, drawing us deeper, but in fact, they've concealed deadly traps, planning to wipe us out at the right place and time."
"..."
Edison frowned. This was exactly what he feared.
"Another possibility: the 'empty fort' strategy. To make us give up the attack due to psychological pressure. Although this possibility is a bit unreliable, it seems to be having some effect..."
Mo Shuying glanced at Edison and Helena, whose expressions flickered as they seemed to realize that they had indeed been putting too much pressure on themselves.
"Is there no possibility that they genuinely lack the power to stop us?" Edison asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.
This time, Mo Shuying didn't even need to answer; Geronimo spoke up.
"Their power is definitely not limited to this. Just that Dual-Sword Man who injured us possesses the bravery to stand against ten thousand, not to mention Cú Chulainn and Medb, who are also powerful Servants."
It was a good thing Rama wasn't there, otherwise he would surely have something to say; Cú Chulainn wasn't just "not weak," he was clearly very strong.
"So, what should we do next?" Edison asked, clenching his fists. Mo Shuying waved his hand.
"Since things have come to this, we naturally continue our assault. However, it's getting late, and marching will be difficult. Have everyone slow their pace, and then... Master, Karna, it's our turn to make an appearance."
Mo Shuying walked to the edge of the chariot and looked up at the sky.
Hmm.
A dark and windy night—the perfect time for an assassination.
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