Scourge of God

...I thought I was going to die.

Right. With the release of an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm so close, I'm amazed that you're not dead.

Thank you, Mash. You too, Boudica. That was great timing.

...To be honest, that was too close.

I ran in to raid the palace from the entrance, only to sense this vast amount of magical energy, so I rushed to release my Noble Phantasm's True Name as well.

I couldn't have blocked that with my Noble Phantasm alone. Thank you, Boudica.

Likewise. But, what are we going to do now.

Lu Bu and Spartacus were rampaging around the palace entrance and unfortunately got hit by that light.

We can't count on them any more. We've gotten this far...

Altera was the name, right? She

Already started her advance from the Untied Empire's capital. Judging from the direction, she's heading for Rome.

In that case, is she planning to burn my capital to ash?

I'd imagine so. Plus, she has that ability.

Even if you're left alive, with the capital destroyed, Rome will disappear as well.

Or she might come to kill you after she destroys the capital.

Either option is rejected. I have no intention of allowing Rome or myself to fall.

Then we have to defeat Altera. But can we...even stand up to her?

Her magical energy is tremendous. It reminded me of the sacred sword in Fuyuki...

And we had a powerful Caster helping us back then. Now...

You can't do it, Mash?

...

I would like to think otherwise. Fujimaru and Mash have saved me multiple times.

You were talking about gods and the like, I'm certain the gods and fate are on our side.

That's why Fujimaru and the rest of you came here. My wish shall see its fruition.

Rome will be saved. My people and my Rome will be left for future generations. I'm sure of it.

The Holy Progenitor said so as well. I heard it.

The world must be eternal. Rome must continue on eternally.

Even if its name will someday be forgotten, the many seeds Rome planted will continue on in different forms.

The eternal empire will continue to exist. Even if its emperor, state, and name changes.

It is the innate truth that mankind will continue to thrive. The tree of life that is humanity.

Fujimaru. I am sure that is the "Humanity" you are trying to protect.

...Emperor Nero. I don't understand what you're trying to say.

I see. Honestly, I don't either.

I understood it a little. At least I think I did.

Even if something's clear and defined fades, as long as the world exists, its memes will remain.

Fou!

How about thinking more romantically? Nero's words gave me strength.

She's confident that we can fight Altera. That's why the world won't end.

Sounds good to me. Although there's no real basis for it

But it makes you feel like we should at least try. Fujimaru, what do you think?

？！

...Got it. Then I will put my faith in your words Senpai.

I'll join in, too. I'm tired of things getting destroyed.

I hate that one called Altera far more than Emperor Nero.

I don't really get what's going on, but I think it's safe to believe in Nero Claudius's luck.

Oh, hey there Jing Ke, where did you disappear off to?

I was observingAltera. It looks like she's slowly advancing.

We can catch up if we leave now. That is, if you all want to.

We just came to a conclusion on that. Nice timing, there.

Well then everyone, time to head out! Let's get the Grail back and save the world!

...At least that was the plan until a second ago. I am picking up a major magical energy signature.

It must've be drawn to the power of the Grail when it connected with AlteraPhantasmals, it's the wyverns!

Wyvern? What's that? A monster out of a fairy tale?

No, it's a dangerous enemy! Master, your orders please!

Now I'm picking up multiple magical energy signatures. Is she attracting monsters just by walking?

Is she summoning them? I don't know the details, but they're closing in fast!

Wyverns again? I never thought I'd be fighting dragons.

We're used to it. Lord Nero, Senpai and I will take the front!

So reliable! Umu, I'm leaving it to you!

Fou!

I really want to say "good work," but more are coming. Several times more than before

Wh-What? Several times? That's pretty wild.

...Guess it can't be helped. We'll take those on, Jing Ke are you ready?

Monsters aren't my specialty. But I should take on non-human enemies for a change.

W-Wait, Boudica, Jing Ke, what do you mean take them on? You're coming with us.

Exactly. You go on ahead already.

What are you saying

GuOOOOOO!!!!!

Go! You stupid emperor! Never mind this, go protect what you call your world!

...Apologies. My worthy rival, Queen of Britannia.

That's right everyone. No time to look back, we're close to where Altera is

...Are you going to stand in my way?

？！

Yes, I'll stand in your way. I can't allow you advance further, no matter what.

You said that you would destroy the world.

I don't understand. Why would you say that you were going to destroy the world?

The world is brimming with beauty. Flowers, songs, gold, love...

That's right, above all, this Rome, this world is filled with my love.

And you'd destroy it? Don't you find that wasteful Altera, or whoever you are?

I am

A warrior of the Hun.

And its King.

A King of Destruction, who will bring destruction to the western world.

That again?

How sad Altera, but even that sadness seems beautiful to me.

I can't just leave you like this. I feel a great pain and contradiction in your life.

Perhaps your power exceeds mine, but know that you cannot defeat me in love.

I know not of love, I know not of beauty.

Doctor, those words are different from before. It seems like she's not responding automatically.

This reaction

I see, she's going out of control by becoming one with the Grail! This isn't good, talking is not going to end this.

Magical energy signature rising. You have to stop her before she unleashes it again.

This is the last battle for Rome Mash, Fujimaru!

Prepare for anti-Servant combat! Master, your orders!

...I see.

In this world... There are things that cannot be destroyed, even... by my sword.

I was called, the Scourge of God...

Even my...

Sword of Mars...can't... I see...

Well that...

Makes me...a little happy...

Altera is gone. Perhaps fate will arrange for us to battle again one day.

But...is it over? Have you obtained that Holy Grail

Yes, we've obtained the Holy Grail. This concludes our mission.

Thank you very much, Nero Claudius.

Mash, your toes are looking faint! Don't tell me you're going to vanish too!

Fujimaru, Fou... I see, you're all going to vanish...

？！

...I had a feeling. My intuition is pretty sharp, you see.

You're going to disappear like Altera, my uncle, and the Holy Progenitor.

Boudica, will you, as well? Jing Ke, Lu Bu, Spartacus?

...Yes.

This era will be restored. Your memories of fighting the United Empire will no longer exist.

That's a sad thing.

Yes, it is...

I will no longer doubt you. I believe you, but this is a problem.

It's unfortunate, I haven't given you any reward.

You could have been more than my retainers. Something more

No, no sense in saying it. Fujimaru, you will find yourself heading to Rome.

All roads lead to Rome, for Rome is the world. Both the Holy Progenitor and I believe so.

So I will not say goodbye. Only thanks.

Thank you. I offer you the thanks of my soul and a rose for your efforts!

Welcome back and good job you two. You retrieved the Grail.

？！

I'll explain. The Grail is the law that decides how magical energies in a dimension is used.

Think of it as a world's rules. It normally doesn't have a form, but Lev crystallized it into one.

We can't analyze its workings, but we can seal it away.

I fiddled with Mash's shield a little, and created a space for the Grail.

My shield can do that?

Yes. The best place for a relic is in a relic, I figure.

It can only hold one at a time, so I yank it out after each retrieval. Got it?

Ahhh!

Ok, Grail's retrieval is confirmed~♪ Try your best to search for the next one!

This is our second Grail and we've also achieved our original goal of finding Lev.

？！

...That's right. Altera killed him, and we never found out what his plans were.

...You mean why he betrayed mankind and tried to...destroy it?

That's right. We still don't know anything, but still have five singularities left.

Lev spoke of "Gods." In other words, there are other enemies out there just like him.

What that means at this point, we don't know.

All we can do is recover the Grails one by one, and restore the Singularities.

？！

Good answer. I'm counting on you, Fujimaru.

We don't have that much time, but for tonight try and rest well.

You walked a long way. You'll want a good massage, I'm sure.

...

？！

...Yes. Our parting with Nero was so sudden. I feel bad about leaving her...

Even if it ended up never happening, in that last moment, she was alone.

She defeated the people she respected, and said goodbye to her rivals

She was left all alone in that huge empire with no one to rely on.

？！

No, I don't think so. ...I'm sure that's not right.

It was a hard battle, yes. We almost died many times, and I'm still scared of fighting.

But it was a fun journey.

Partially thanks to Nero's glamour, but... It was a lot of fun.

？！

...Yes. I'll never forget that sky and land, I'm sure.

By the way Senpai, about what the Doctor said.

？！

Yes, you need to take care of yourself. Shall I give you a massage?

I know several effective methods shiatsu, deep tissue...

Really?

Come on, please!

？！

...Ahem. I really wanted to try it.

Yes, that's all. Um, well...

I tried it once before, and they said it really hurt...Oh!

T-That shouldn't happen anymore. I practiced after that. In my mind.

Huh? Senpai?

Where are you going? Oh, you want a massage in your room, right?

Senpai?