No Matter How Many Times the End Comes

Sorry about that Fujimaru. I have some personal business I need your help with.

...The United Empire is gone, and Rome is in an ephemeral peace.

However, the one who led Rome as its first citizen, Nero Claudius is no longer there.

Rather, the human "Nero" is no longer there because I contracted with you, Fujimaru.

The human "Nero" already left Rome just like in history. Now "I" sit as its Emperor.

The Era's ability to bring back the past... No, to repair itself.

As long as the Servant Nero is here, the Emperor Nero must be dead.

In normal space and time, both the human before death and the Servant after death can exist simultaneously.

But in a Singularity, "what's accurate" and "what's stronger" ends up taking precedence.

Once the Heroic Spirit Nero contracted with you, the Nero at Septem became this Nero, unfortunately.

...My apologies.

I wasn't trying to criticize you... Sorry about that, Emperor Nero.

It's fine. You were just lamenting the fact that I passed away, correct?

If that's the case, I forgive you. Actually, I'm happy. You mourned me, even though I was called a tyrant.

Yes, sorry about that Emperor Nero.

Well, it's a confusing problem, so I ended up using a negative expression...

Emperor Nero, no...Nero. You are definitely here in Rome.

I am happy about such fortune, Emperor.

Umu, you're a really nice girl, Mash!

You feel regret for your mistakes, and feel happy when good things happen.

I'll forgive what you said with that smile of yours. You can accompany me to a bath later as an apology!

？！

...Oh, not good. I always get carried away when Fujimaru is around.

There's only one reason why we've come to Septem. I want you to help me, Master.

Remember when I brought out a boat last time? I heard a little something during the voyage.

Supposedly there's a ghost that appears in the cursed deserts on the outskirts of Rome.

I think I might know who that ghost is.

Right now, I'm carrying out my royal duties as a Servant, but I'm not sure when I'll finish them and disappear.

That's why before that happens... I want to ease Rome's pain with my own two hands.

？！

Umu. I am counting on you, one who contracted with me.

...The sun's gone down, Master. It's a familiar scene, but it feels lonely here...

...It's like no one's here. A stage everyone's forgotten about...

...

？！

Umu, it should be around here. The shape of the rocks, the sound of the wind, the faded color of the setting sun...

I remember it all, even now. The fate of an emperor who died here, in these wastelands.

! Nero, is this

Umu. This is where I died. Nero Claudius slit her own throat here.

Nero loved the people and she continually showed her burning passion...

However, it wasn't the warm love people knew of.

Nero only knew how to love one way. To demand, give, and burn away... Violently.

It was like forcing people to do things, you may say. Nero didn't realize even until her end, that her actions were like poison to the people.

Nero made a mistake that weakened her own position, and was chased away from her throne by the senate.

The army turned against her, but even then she believed that the people she loved so passionately would defend her.

...I don't think I need to tell you what happened. The people didn't defend the foolish tyrant.

Although Nero escaped from her pursuers, she chose to end her life out of grief.

I can't say what Nero was grieving over. Just that her life ended here.

But...Nero didn't die that easily.

Or more like she couldn't die, rather. She couldn't breathe. Her heart ached. Her eyes burned.

It was like being driven to madness by a never-ending fever.

Three days passed and Nero still wasn't discovered by her pursuers.

She woke at sunset each day, for she thought she heard people calling out her name.

It was the sound of the people that she loved. She knew they didn't blame Emperor Nero. That they were praising her.

Haha, talk about adding insult to injury. That couldn't have been, it just couldn't.

Even so... Nero awoke, just to verify what she heard.

At the first sunset, she sniffed her nose to an illusion. At the second sunset, she bit her lips to the inaudible calls.

And at the third sunset

...That's right. Emperor Nero said her last words.

A soldier found her body, exposed in the wilderness, and out of pity, covered her with a cloth.

At that moment, Emperor Nero opened her eyes and said: "Too late, but how noble of you."

？！

Umu, my fate ended there.

I don't know what Nero was thinking at the very end.

But Nero was okay with that. Even if it wasn't by the people she loved so much

The tyrant was happy that her life ended with the warmth of a human.

That's the deus ex machina that I dream of even now.

Because no matter what happened, it was that very miracle which made the story a happy ending.

If that soldier hadn't come along, I would have still been waiting in the wilderness for the impossible.

And that is why! Why I must kill you!

A tyrant's wandering dream! The reflection of a flower that forgot how to wither!

The ghost of mine that cannot accept this end! Show yourself and take up your sword!

A collection of powerful magical energy? What is this

It's not the shadow of a Servant, nor its ghost... it's like the Demon God

The Fifth Emperor, Nero Claudius, implores you! My Master, Fujimaru!

Lend me your strength! I might be a bit late, but I shall right my wrongs with my own sword!

？！

You idiot! How could an actor refuse to let the curtain go down?

We thrive, and then perish! We cannot avoid death! The ending cannot be changed!

That is why we sing! That is why we scream!

I neither give up on, nor lament what I love! No matter how many times that final curtain comes down!

...Oh...I can hear it... The call from the capital... The sixth...

...Farewell. The girl who never went back to being "me."

？！

...Umu. Worthless mumbles to myself. Don't worry about it.

In any event

That was wonderful, Fujimaru. I expected nothing less from you! I knew you were dependable!

Thanks to you, that which disturbed Rome... No, it didn't disturb Rome actually, it was being ignored by Rome...

I feel lonely now. I think I could get depressed here...

No, that's not it. The people were just being nice and pretending they didn't see me!

That's the Roman citizens and Nero for you! They're the best!

？！

How could I serve as an emperor otherwise? If you have a little hope, you can laugh.

That's how I live! No matter how may many times I fall, I'll get back up again!

I'll show you that next time Mash, Fujimaru.

I was victorious because of you all. I'll show you my thanks on the battlefield.

Anyway, let's get back to Chaldea, Master! Let's bring thunderous applause to this Earth!