"The operation failed. Retreat, Rider."
Red Archer Atalanta's voice reached Achilles through their telepathic link. He clicked his tongue in displeasure and drove Sovell back with a thrust of his spear, putting some distance between them.
He snapped his fingers, and a meteor began diving from the sky directly overhead. Sovell looked closely and saw that it was a chariot drawn by three warhorses.
Achilles climbed into the driver's position and called out:
"Lancer of the Black Faction! Let's settle this another time! You and I are destined to have a battle where we give it everything we've got! Hahahahahahaha!"
He jerked the reins, and the warhorses neighed toward the heavens before charging into the sky. Their master's spirited laughter echoed between heaven and earth long after he was gone.
His imposing departure made it seem less like a retreat and more like he simply wanted to save their decisive battle for next time.
Watching the chariot speed into the distance, Sovell slowly relaxed. The searing heat in his chest gradually mellowed.
He put away the Holy Spear, his dragon scales receded, and his silver-white robe settled over his shoulders once more.
The moment the battle ended, Sovell did not immediately start reviewing it as he usually did. Instead, he checked Darnic's condition through their Master-Servant Contract.
Aside from breathing a little harder, consuming a little more magic power, looking a little more drained, and having his knees a little closer to the ground...
Yes.
Everything was normal.
Only after confirming that his contracted partner was safe did Sovell begin reviewing the battle that had just ended.
The enemy had sent four Servants to attack: Red Berserker, Red Rider, and Red Archer.
Besides those three whose classes were confirmed, there was another Servant they called "Avenger."
Red Berserker was confirmed