Facing Jeanne's explanation, Dr. Roman and Da Vinci, who refused to take it on faith, decided that practice yields true knowledge. They asked Ritsuka Fujimaru to find a Ley Line point to test it out, only to discover that it could indeed only slightly replenish Mash's magical energy; performing a new Heroic Spirit summoning was absolutely impossible.
"Perhaps because this Singularity is very special, it looks a lot like a Holy Grail War took place here. The Holy Grail had already descended before we arrived, and the Heroic Spirits for both sides had already been summoned, so the number cannot be increased any further."
Dr. Roman could only offer such an explanation.
"Look on the bright side. If the number of Heroic Spirits can't increase, maybe the Dragon Witch Jeanne's side can't continue to increase their number of Heroic Spirits either."
"But if it's a Holy Grail War, shouldn't the magical energy return after a Heroic Spirit dies? If the Holy Grail is already in the enemy's hands and can be used, doesn't that mean their magical energy level has risen again?"
As an amateur Master, Ritsuka Fujimaru had always been a good child who asked questions whenever she was confused.
The other end of the communication line fell into an awkward silence.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
"Ritsuka, Mash, it's me. I've brought you some things."
Mash opened the door, and Jeanne set down two huge wooden barrels, making a heavy sound.
"What is this?"
"These are things Mr. Suzuki gave me earlier to replenish magical energy. They are basically condensed magical substances left behind by the attacking Skeleton Soldiers and Wyverns. If you are short on magical energy, you can use these to replenish it."
The two girls stared straight at the barrels piled high with various Evil Bones, Dragon Fangs, and Dragon Scales.
"Aaaaaah! These are the best magical materials! Although Wyvern scales can't compare to true Dragon ones, these were created directly by the Holy Grail using magical energy, so quality-wise, they can already serve as substitutes!"
Da Vinci had already fallen into a state of frenzy over the magical materials. After all, Chaldea's combat power had been very low previously, with almost no way to acquire magical materials. The materials in stock were used for the operation and maintenance of the organization itself, so naturally, she couldn't use them freely. This had really stifled the homebody genius inventor.
"Miss Jeanne, is it really okay to give us so many precious things?"
"No problem. I've already asked Mr. Suzuki, and he said I can dispose of these things as I please—besides, my magical energy supply is very sufficient right now, so I have no use for them anymore."
The blonde Saint was not lying. What was truly restricting her magical energy intake limit now was actually the nature of Suzuki Makoto's magical energy. She had to wear down those sharp auras before she could use them for her Spirit Origin. As for how much magical energy supply Suzuki Makoto had... let's just say Jeanne's processing speed couldn't keep up with Suzuki Makoto's supply speed, so she even had to ask him to hold back a bit.
"However, you need to get ready quickly. We will begin our march toward Orleans the day after tomorrow."
"So soon?"
"Because this land is still suffering from the torment of misery. Neither Mr. Suzuki nor I want to see any more victims. Plus, we don't know if the enemy can continue summoning Servants, so we must take advantage of this vacuum in their combat power to launch a decisive battle quickly."
Jeanne laid out the entire battle plan.
"As a feint, Gilles will lead the human army and advance slowly, while Mr. Suzuki will lead a squad of Heroic Spirits to form a decapitation unit. We will bypass the areas occupied by monsters and head straight for Orleans—which part would you and Miss Mash like to join?"
"We want to join the decapitation unit, is that okay?"
"Of course. In fact, I wanted to advise you to take this path. After all, the only ones with Master aptitude are you, Ritsuka, and Mr. Suzuki. However, Mr. Suzuki seems unable to sign contracts with new Servants; at least, the contract between him and Mr. Siegfried could not be established."
Of course, this was actually Siegfried giving up on his own. When attempting to form the contract, Siegfried stated that with the strength of his Spirit Origin in this manifestation, he might not be able to withstand and neutralize Suzuki Makoto's magical energy like Jeanne could. Thus, signing such a contract might actually be counterproductive.
"So, you hope that I will form contracts with those Heroic Spirits?"
"Yes. I've also spoken with Miss Marie. They all acknowledge your aptitude and are willing to form Servant contracts with you—of course, this is only if you are willing to participate in this operation."
Ritsuka Fujimaru certainly wouldn't refuse.
So, with the help of Jeanne and Chaldea, the contracting process went very smoothly. Watching Ritsuka Fujimaru unexpectedly sign contracts with Marie, Mozart, and Siegfried simultaneously and supply them with magical energy, all the Heroic Spirits, including Jeanne, showed expressions of surprise.
"Good work, Ritsuka."
"It's nothing. I have to be able to help everyone, at least."
The girl's expression was slightly weary. After all, counting Mash, that was a total of four Heroic Spirits. Being able to withstand it was already enough to make Dr. Roman nervous to the point of needing to stare at her body monitoring equipment constantly.
Suzuki Makoto also began to believe that this little girl was the "Savior" Jeanne spoke of. Such aptitude and temperament indeed had the look of a Savior.
"Ritsuka, your burden is very heavy right now, so I won't add more weight to your shoulders. However, I will prepare a training method for you. When you no longer need to sustain this magical energy, you can give it a try."
"Eh? Is it the training method you use, Mr. Suzuki?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru's eyes lit up. She had seen Suzuki Makoto's combat power with her own eyes. If she could easily defeat those Heroic Spirits like him, then in the future, she could fight side by side with Mash and never have to hide behind her shield again.
"Not quite. My master believed in teaching students according to their aptitude, so my training was a bit more grueling. For you, it's better to start from the basics."
Suzuki Makoto smiled gently.
"Then will I be able to reach your standard in the future?!"
"That would probably take quite some time. However, a strategist who devises plans and commands battles is far rarer than a general who charges into enemy lines. There's no need to necessarily aim to be like me."
Ritsuka Fujimaru was slightly disappointed, but soon began to look forward to what kind of training method Suzuki Makoto would give her.
At dawn two days later, thousands of soldiers carefully selected by Gilles de Rais began to depart from Lyon, marching toward Orleans, prepared to retake the lost territory.
Meanwhile, Suzuki Makoto's group had already set out earlier in the night. Following a path through the mountains and wilderness planned by Jeanne, and with the help of Marie's Crystal Horse, they trekked over mountains and rivers.
____
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