Signal to the Final Battle

UmuIn other words, it's the final showdown!

Now is the time to gather my strength and yours, as my soldiers. With this battle, Rome will become one again!

Those miserable pretenders to the throne... Now is the time for the false Rome to fall!

Fight, my soldiers! As my swords, annihilate every one of those pretenders!

My sword is the Original Flame, and the sound of it clashing is like a star streaking across the sky.

Listen in awe and praise it! Rejoice, my Swords!

I could hear her voice and cheers over here, too. The troops' morale is sky-high.

The battle has already started, but there's still no sign of any Servants.

We'll be taking part in the palace raid. I hope we can find that court mage...

I can't say for sure, but it's a strong possibility.

A dangerous man who killed the Director, and proclaimed the world to have ended. There's no room for sympathy, Senpai.

？！

Mash, Fujimaru, be extremely careful. Who knows what will happen if we run into the holder of the Grail.

A dragon was summoned with the power of the Grail last time. This time it might not just be used to summon Heroic Spirits.

Also

Wait, I've detected a Servant signature. It's close, you should be able to see it in front of you.

...Brave ones.

You are truly brave, and that is why you rule over the current Rome.

Hmm

We've got visual confirmation. One large target, near the entrance to the palace.

To us...he's talking to us. It seems Nero heard him too.

His voices reaches this far even on the battlefield? As expected of Servants, even their vocal cords are different.

I see. So you're Nero?

How adorable. How beautiful. How gorgeous. I can see how you held Rome up with those slender arms of yours.

Now, come.

The past, the present, the future. All that is Rome loves you.

What?

What's... No, I-I can't...

Would...that...even be...possible... No, no, but...

Nero? You don't look well. Did someone cast some spell on you

I'm not detecting any traces of magical energy. It's probably not due to magecraft or Servant Skills.

Then what's

W-Well...

Afraid? A-And...just what would I be afraid of?

I am the Roman Emperor... That's right, Rome...

？！

Rome... But that person..."He" is...

Just one glance...and I understand... He is truly...

Rome, itself...

I'm sure you understand, Nero.

Now come back, come back to Rome my dear child.

It's Rome. Rome is the true leader of the United Empire.

You should join, as well. You shall be forgiven for everything. Rome shall forgive you.

Rome will even love that inner beast of yours. Rome is the only one that can do that.

That's right

I am Rome.

I... You're...No, you're...

You're...That's not possible... I...

I had thought about it... I had believed. I had wanted to believe...

However, you stand in my way! You are none other than Rome, the founding king of the nation.

The Holy Progenitor, Romulus!

Master, there's a group of enemies headed this way! I believe they're going after Nero!

？！

Yes, Master!

!!!

Hahaha! Hahahahahahahaha! The day of liberation has come. Crush the oppressors with your will and bodies!

The generals have returned! Victory is within our grasp! Glory to Her Majesty, the emperor!

...I see, the founding ruler.

So that's why she's acting like that. Such a gloomy face is sure to affect the troops' morale.

Emperor Nero? She doesn't look so gloomy.

Even as we speak, she's encouraging the troops on the battlefield. I'm sure there's no problem.

Well, she is acting cheerfully. But she's not as radiant as normal.

Well, right now we're fighting human soldiers, and the boss is hiding in the palace. It should be fine, but...

If that big one shows up again, we'll have a problem.

The morale of the United Empire troops is strangely high. The soldiers were all ready to sacrifice themselves.

More so, each capital civilian is acting like a soldier, and attacking our troops whenever in sight.

I am sure this is the charisma of that Holy Progenitor. The soldiers and people are acting like moths drawn to the flame.

It's true they seem to be acting that way.

People of the United Empire are blind. Though that may be proof that they're under proper leadership.

However, our troops have high morale as well. Nero...is acting no different than usual.

I'm...not sure about that.

I understand a little bit. It's her determination, or just general aura about her...

It feels... a little bit lacking right now.

I'm sure it came as a shock for her. The founder of the nation, King Romulus, is actually the enemy leader...

？！

Yes, the founding-king, Romulus. The great hero who founded Rome upon the Septem Montes.

A great figure that deserves to be called the Progenitor of Rome. At any rate, he's the son of the War God Mars.

So that means his Divinity level is quite high, since Mars is the equivalent of Ares the Greek God of War

Sorry, I'll get back on track. Either way...

It doesn't matter if he existed in history or not. Just like I've explained before, Heroic Spirits are the heroes people dreamt of.

In other words, Emperor Nero must have dreamt of Romulus, as well.

A dream of the shining hero who created Rome. I'm sure it was quite a shock when that person turned out to be an enemy.

It would be like if I was betrayed by the Celtic gods.

Something like that. Maybe also adding in being betrayed by your beloved husband.

My husband is the best husband there is. If the world turned inside-out, he still wouldn't betray me.

It was just an example, but it looks like it's time for you to go.

It isn't a Servant, but I am getting magical energy signatures. Might be some kind of monster.

...I will search for a route to infiltrate the palace.

Then I will protect the soldiers and the Emperor. Mash, Fujimaru, can I leave this to you?

Thanks, I'm going to go save our silly emperor.

Oh, but I will. Mash, you'll figure this out, right?

Yes, of course. Senpai gets things done when the need is there.

？！

Well then Master, commencing battle with the enemy creatures.

...Mmm, so it's you.

Where's Mash? Oh, the restroom? I guess this happens too.

It's just you two seem to be joined at the hip, so I thought you'd be together during those times too, sorry.

...

...I made a fool out of myself, didn't I? I can't believe I'd lose it like that.

Although I panicked a bit during the incidents with my uncle and Lord Caesar.

This time, it hit home. Just a tiny bit, mind you...

I...

"Could it be?" I thought. Could it be that my path was mistaken?

...Needless to say, that's not possible. I myself am Rome...its fifth emperor.

But when I heard our founding ruler's voice, though it was for a brief moment, it did cross my mind.

"Could it be?"

The other day, I put up such an act, and now I'm being completely pathetic.

But it crossed my mind. Could it be possible?

Would it be better for me to just bow down to the Holy Progenitor? No, let's say it. I will say it.

I wanted to. That's how I really, truly felt in my heart!

The Holy Progenitor! With all of his faults, he founded this nation!

If my path is wrong, if that is indeed the case, then I want to entrust everything to him as an "emperor" of the United Empire!

But

I can't do that. That is the one thing I cannot do. The Holy Progenitor is definitely mistaken.

Look at his people, look at his soldiers. Not a single one of them is smiling!

No matter how perfect the reign may be, how can there be a nation without laughter!

Which is why I...I...

？！

...I know. Oh, I know!

That's it. I forgot something important.

No matter who the enemy might be, I must not stray from the path. I shall finish what I started.

Thank you, Fujimaru. I feel like my eyes are wide open now.

I'm back, Senpai. ...Oh, Nero?

Umu, hey there Mash! If you're back, it's about time to finish this!

???

Looks like you've cheered up... Senpai, Nero looks brighter now, right?

Yeah, that's true. That might just be true.

I think she's a lot like the sun. That's why she's captured the hearts of many.

Even now, people are fighting under her name. She's got a powerful charisma.

That's just who she is... Even if it dims a little, her light still shines true.

All because of that?

I see... So that's what I should have done.

I couldn't do anything for her. Master, you're amazing.

？！

Boo. What are you talking about? I want in on it too.

At least that's what I want to say. Right now, I'll just have to wait, for now we assault the palace!

Jing Ke has found a way in. We will take a small number of elites, and take out Romulus.

This will be the last battle. Will you come with me Mash, Fujimaru?

？！

Umu! Let's go, then!