Invading El Dorado

Well this is a surprise, leading off by infiltrating the enemy's home base.

It's so out of left field I'm still wrapping my head around it. I just hope our new tactician here didn't betray us the first chance she got.

As I've told you many times now...I will not betray you.

I need all of you to win in order to ensure my own survival.

I simply determined that this course of action was the best one we could take at this point.

I admit that it is not without risk...but it would be far riskier NOT to take it.

If we don't make a move now, the Resistance will be cornered without any means of retaliation.

That means I would die. And I...don't want to die.

Well that escalated quickly!

Scheherazade's decision lines up with Chaldea's strategic analysis as well.

Ys has been wiped out, and the Nightless City is now occupied by the Amazons of El Dorado.

The balance between the three main powers has completely collapsed, and El Dorado now controls almost all of Agartha.

And without any opposition, their forces will only continue to grow the longer we wait.

With all us Servants around, we shouldn't lose when it comes to small-scale battles, but I'm afraid we're hopelessly outmatched in sheer numbers.

Indeed...which is why our only option is to strike first.

Now that the Amazons are occupying the Nightless City, their forces must be split.

Thus, I believe that El Dorado's defenses are currently at their weakest.

If the Berserker is there, we can defeat her before backup arrives.

If she isn't, we can occupy El Dorado before she returns and reduce the Amazons' numbers.

It's a truly bold and daring strategy, where speed is of the essence.

At first I thought you were a quiet and reserved woman, akin to the moon on a dark night, but I see now that your passion for the battlefield burns as brightly as the scorching sun.

I'm very impressed.

... (Scoot, scoot)

I see... Thank you. But I'm merely doing what I can in order to help.

？！

Now look what your teasing has done. She really thinks he's a threat. I feel sorry for them both.

... (Whistles nonchalantly)

At least Fergus doesn't seem to have noticed.

Fou fou.

At any rate, I'm on board with this plan too. I wouldn't have brought my men here otherwise.

...You guys ready to go?

You bet, Rider!

This is it!

Now that we're only up against the Amazons, we just have to beat them for this to all be over!

Once we win, we'll be able to go back to the surface, right!? I can't wait to see my daughter again!

...That's right. Just a little further, and we'll finally have reached our goal. Heh heh heh.

(Goal? Come to think of it, Rider never told us what it is that he's after.)

That laugh sounded kind of sinister, Rider!

Did it? Sorry about that. I'm just excited that our goal is finally in sight.

...

Anyway, like I always say...the important thing is to keep moving forward. Remember that.

Yes, sir!

Wha... The Resistance!

Well now... Looks like we made contact sooner than we expected.

We can't have them alerting their comrades. This should make for a good warm-up before the main event!

That was easy-peasy lemon-squeezy!

Now that I think about it, the Amazons were the first opponents I fought down here. ...Eh? The Demon Boar? No no, that doesn't count.

Between Ys and the Nightless City, I thought I had gone through some decent training and grown at least a little since that first fight.

But I guess not. I'm still young and weak, and cannot raise my sword against a woman.

That may be, but personally, I'm grateful that you're entirely focused on keeping Master safe.

？！

That's...good to hear, I guess.

...

I suppose it's no surprise given that we are in the heart of their territory, but there certainly are a fair number of Amazons around.

It's fortunate that we are only encountering them in small groups, and that none are very strong.

...?

It's certainly better than running into strong ones before the main event. It's helped the Resistance get their sea legs too.

All right, we can do this! Once we've won, we'll be back home before we know it!

Rider's right! As long as we don't give up, we can do anything! Come on, let's keep going!

I was a little concerned since so many of these men are heading into battle for the first time, but it looks like I had nothing to worry about.

Yep! This sure is goin' really well! Especially since we're stuck in an actual enemy jungle!

...!

It's going TOO smoothly! Stop! This might be a

What the...!?

？！

I'm so sorry. I could have sworn I was monitoring the situation closely...!

Don't blame yourself. This is the enemy's jungle. There are any number of tricks they could have used.

(Dammit. Does this mean Caster really did sell us out?)

(...Guess not. She's quaking in her boots more than anyone. Looks like she just plain got outsmarted.)

(So, what to do now...)

Please be careful. She's here!

...I see you rats have walked right into our trap. What fools you are.

Berserker!

She's not even kinda surprised to see us here! She's sure got our number!

How did you know...?

Hmph. I was well aware you had gone over to the Resistance, Caster of the Nightless City.

I may be a Berserker and a queen, but above all else, I am a warrior, a general.

And no one makes her way to general without a clear understanding of battlefield tactics.

Keeping such things in mind, determining how best to counter your most likely move was trivial.

...!

Ys has sunk beneath the sea, and the Nightless City has fallen. This underground world is as good as ours.

It is now a nation of warriors led by a single queen. There is no gap between rich and poor, and no distinction in class apart from warrior and royalty.

None could hope for a fairer, stronger nation here or anywhere else.

A fair and strong, nation...

Oof, sounds boring!

That sounds like another super frowny, no-smile kinda nation, though in a pretty different way than the Nightless City. And in Ys, people were just a liiittle bit too happy, y'know!

It is simply the way of things. The nation that survives will always be the nation that is strongest.

But we cannot have stray men doing as they please, fouling our land with their waste.

Rejoice. I shall decide which of you we need, and which we do not. Those we do not shall have the honor of dying by my hand.

As for whom I choose, that falls to you.

Come, men. Show me which of you is strong enough to be worthy of being kept as our slaves!

Uh oh...here they come!

R-Rider!

Keep it together and take up your weapons! But remember, stick to fighting the Amazons.

Whatever you do, don't go near that woman! We're the only ones who have a chance against her!

？！

Well, this is all happening kinda fast, but 'kay!

Our enemy is right before us. Once we defeat her, this will all be over!

Right now...I'll just have to do the best I can!

...I'll help however I can to ensure I don't die, but I don't know how much use I will be!

Well well. You are certainly powerful for such a motley group.

Good. The stronger the men, the better.

...As long as they aren't "them."

？！

We don't have time to converse with her now, Master!

Still...the scales may be tipping in our favor!

Yeaaah! We can do this!

Anyone who's injured, get back! We can handle the Amazons as long as we keep ganging up on them!

There's no way I'm giving up now! Not when victory's so close I can taste it!

...My proud children. My Amazonian warriors. I did not order you to frolic about for fun.

...!

I see you are underestimating them, merely because they are men.

Then I shall remind you: pathetic men though they are, they are still enemies. And we proud Amazons do not hold back against our enemies.

That is how we do battle!

Weak enemies allow us to show our strength. Strong enemies are a chance for us to refine our skills.

Whatever our enemy, we are to relish the opportunity they provide. Thus, as your queen, I command you now:

...Roar.

!!!

Follow Her Majesty! !

Louder! !!

!!!

？！

What the hell are they doing!?

Could this be...the Amazons' war cry...!?

This is bad. Be careful!!!

Aaagh!

Shit! They're cutting right through us!

I'm afraid so. Once they began this war cry, they became far more formidable opponents!

Their strength, speed, agility, and durability have all increased. They no longer even feel pain!

It is as though they have all gained Madness Enhancement! How is this happening!?

I know from experience that battle cries are important in combat. They inspire soldiers and help raise morale. But this one is on a whole other level!

Um...if you would like to know a good way to beg for your life, I can think of thirty different methods.

I believe that one used among a subset of African tribes which involves opening your mouth and raising both hands high up at an angle...

...may be the best way of indicating our surrender to them, with a three percent chance of success.

？！

True, they could well end up interpreting that stance in a different way altogether.

This really is a difficult problem. Perhaps dogeza is still the safest option after all.

You want to know the option that'll give you the best chance at surviving this!? Stop thinking up ways to beg for your life and start fighting for it!

Right on! We gotta focus on breaking through their defenses!

I'll look for the weakest link in their surrounding formation! Hang in there, Master!

...There! I see it!

Everyone, focus your efforts on the formation at eight o'clock! That's where their line is weakest!

Tch... You hear that, men!? This isn't the end! Resistance, fall back!

That goes for us too, Master! Come, I'll bring up the rear!

Fooou!

I'm sorry, my queen. They got away.

I see. That is disappointing. All the more so after showing them our war cry.

My deepest apologies...

Well, no matter. One of their Servants excelled at defense. That one must have defended the rabble as they fled, tails between their legs.

...How many did you kill?

If you include the ones we hunted while giving chase...about half.

I see. About the same as our own casualties. It remains to be seen whether they will continue their struggle, or come to pledge their submission.

What shall we do with the men who surrendered?

Our expanded territory has led to an increase in our population as well, so we are currently low on men. Perhaps we should send them to

No need for that. Execute them.

...Yes, Your Majesty. My apologies.

Those we captured for child-birthing when they first fell from the surface are one matter.

But the seed of those who oppose us must be selected with care.

Those who have surrendered to us out of fear are tainted with cowardice. Such must not be permitted to enter into our bloodline.

However, if you find any men who we have defeated in honorable combat...

Men who have lost their arms or legs, yet still glare at us as if to rip our throats out with their teeth given the chance...

Those I give you leave to bring back and use them as you will. However...

...! Y-yes, your Majesty! I understand!

The Greek hero is the one exception!