Disclaimer: Fate series and Persona series belong to their awesome owner. I do not own anything.
'You're going to have a bad time.'
- Sans (Undertale)
The Rome coliseum is full of excited spectators all around the city. They're here to watch the tournament that their emperor, Nero Claudius, had announced. Once they found their desired seats, everyone is now waiting in anticipation for the event to start. "Welcome ladies and gentlemen, the time has finally arrived to answer on who's side will emerge victoriously!" An energetic feminine voice announces inside the fully seated Rome Colosseum. "Will it be the crimson emperor team of Nero Claudius?" The announcer said and the crowd went wild and roared at a deafening level to cheer after hearing their beloved emperor name. "Or will it be the opposing team of Boudica and her group?!" The level of the cheer for Boudica's team might not be as loud compared to Nero, but it is still thunderous that you cannot tell the difference. "Everyone seems on the edge of their seat, and could not wait any longer to start! Well, I could not contain my excitement as well!" The announcer said and from the tone of her voice, it seems she's enjoying the energy that everyone is giving.
"Then I, Marie Antoinette, shall hereby declare the start of the first match here on this Colosseum!" The girl announces and out of everyone's surprise, it was the queen of France's voice they're hearing. The crowd went even wilder and cried out their cheer from the announcement that the loving queen has said. "First off, let us introduce our first contestant from both sides." Marie then becomes visible from the floating widescreen, hovering high above in the middle of the arena. "Coming from the left side, are the chosen two combatants of the emperor herself." She said. The screen then zoomed in on the two figures making their way to the middle. "Two of the famous paladins of King Charlemagne, who we will also see fight later today. Anyway, let me introduce to all of you first. The "Curiosity in human form", Astolfo!"
Hearing his name, Astolfo gratefully waved his hand on the crowd above him while sending a full-blown smile at them. "Astolfo!" He heard from a group of men above him, these men have a shape of a heart on their eyes while waving numerous banner saying 'We love you!' and t-shirts with imprinted letters saying 'Masochist'. "Sthen." The paladin murmured after seeing the purple-haired goddess who obliviously behind from the strange action of these men. His assumption wasn't wrong, once their eyes meet, Astolfo saw the mischievous smile on Stheno's face. "Secondly, his the wielder of the mighty and indestructible sword named Durandal! The acting leader of the paladins, let me hear your cheers as I introduce the man. Roland!" The said man after hearing his name, Roland fixes his hair first before waving his hand to the crowd.
His charming smile made the female audiences squealed in delight. Both from the young and the adult, married or not. The paladin captivated the many hearts of maiden inside the stadium and enjoyed the sounds that his hearing. "Now that the first group introduction is over, its time to know who their opponent going to be," Marie announce, and once again appeared on the screen, the queen pointed her finger on her right as she speaks. "Coming on the right side, two mighty warriors that the Queen of Victory has picked to fight the two paladins." She said. The screen then focuses on the two individuals making their way in the middle. "First is a king from a powerful nation in Greece, a nation where fearsome warriors have born, a place that marks history on the world, its name shouts Sparta. Let his name be known to everyone here, the king of Sparta. King Leonidas!" As soon as Marie announce the king's name, half of the crowd stamp their feet and clapped their hands in rhythm while shouting Leonidas' name in respect.
Marie smiled from the atmosphere inside the building and continue the introductions. "Alongside him is another well-known figure. He made his name here on Rome, a gladiator who surprise everyone during the ancient time. A man who raises a high-scale rebellion of slaves, this event is known as the 'War of Spartacus.'! We'll present to you, the man himself, Spartacus!" If this place was ancient Rome, no one would cheer for the gladiator, the rebellion it causes to the mighty Rome is unforgiving. But as time goes by, humanity slowly becomes far away from its past self, the world and it's moral evolve as well. Time has changed because everyone cried in cheer for the gladiator. "The cheer of this many people, it's making my heart want to explode!" Spartacus raise the weapon on his hand with a beaming smile painted on his face, the volume of the audience cheering for him become even louder.
As the two teams finished their introduction. The announcer, Marie Antoinette, waited for the voice of the audience to calm down before she starts talking. "I'm happy to see that everyone's excitement is off the roof!" She said before becoming visible on the floating screen, the queen shows a charming smile on her face as she speaks. "But before we start, let me explain the rules of this match first," Marie stated before she claps her hands two times, and suddenly two round floating objects teleported in the far sides of the stadium while facing each other. "Those things are called a 'Plant' or 'Planter'. They are used to generate attack automatons that are used in battle and military purposes." She explained. The planters then generate six-row with eight columns of automatons as a show for demonstration. "The rules of this first match is simple. Each team has a planter to protect and failing to protect their planter will lead to defeat!" After finishing announcing the rule of the match, Tamamo-no-Mae appeared on the screen and joined Marie. "Also, to avoid having any of our participants fatally hurting each other. Our great sponsors from Mare Luxuria also known as the wonderful 'Tamamo Land', a place rich of sakura trees, and many breathtaking sceneries. Has provided this tournament a piece of equipment for our combatants to use!" Marie happily said, then she shows a pink-colored bracer for everyone to see. "These special bracers are created by 'Tamamo Land' ruler herself, she herself will explain what these bracers are for, give her a warm welcome, Tamamo-chan!"
"Minasan, kon'nichiwa!" Tamamo said and giggled from the welcome that the audience is giving her. "Just like what the beautiful queen of France had said, this bracer is personally designed and crafted by me!" The girl claimed and hides her laughter behind a fan. "This bracer has a magical barrier in them, this barrier is made from the user mana. Each time the user has received a fatal hit, then the bracer will take some portion of the user's mana to convert it into a shield. This will continue until only half of the user's mana remain, and when that happened, the bracer will become so heavy that even Cú Chulainn himself could not bring himself back to his feet…Having a hard time believing it? Then have a look at this footage during the testing stage." With a snap of her finger, the image on the screen then changes into a video of the man face-planted on the ground while trying to get up. "Hey! You said you ain't going to show that to everyone!" The man in the video protested, Tamamo saw Cú Chulainn gritting his teeth in annoyance somewhere on the Colosseum. "Don't worry Mr. Chulainn, the other footage where you're crawling to get a portion of food while wearing this bracer are already deleted." The caster giggled on the screen, Cú Chulainn about to voice out his complains again but he gets ignored as Tamamo continued her explanation about the bracers.
"Once the weight in the bracers activated, the user will be out on the match and will stay on the ground while waiting for it to finish," Tamamo said. "One last reminder for our participants, be mindful of how you're going to use your mana, alright? The bracer will detect when you only have half the mana left on your body. Also, you'll still be going to feel pain, the barrier only works from things that potentially going to kill you, got it?" Seeing the nod of the two groups on the distance, the caster smiled before the screen focus solely on Marie. "Now that the final words for this match have been said. This match will soon begin as the two groups get into their designated post." said the queen. The crowd then readied themselves for the anticipation and excitement, Marie watches the two teams get to where their planters, once the two teams are in position, the queen cleared her throat before she speaks again. "Now that the two teams are ready, then I, Marie Antoinette, declare that the first match between the two groups. Has begun!" As soon as she announces that, the stadium broke into a tremendous roar.
Two groups staring at each other in the distance, while the sound of the crowd faded and the scenery changes. The rocky surface of the ground they're standing and the Colosseum that surrounds them changes into a quiet scenery of prairie. Roland look around him and become amazed at the reality marble that Tamamo-no-Mae had created for this match. He's aware that servants belong to the caster class are very much capable of altering space to their liking, but witnessing one happening in front of his eyes, the leader of the paladin could not help himself but become impressed on her skills.
Feeling the calm wind touching his skin. Roland let a small smile appear on his face. Appreciating the scenery could happen later, he set his focus on the opposing group, specifically, the lancer servant. The servant's name is Leonidas, the legendary king of Sparta. From the little information he knows about the king, he took three hundred spartan soldiers with him to stop the Persians army from advancing on Greece. Even though they are outnumbered, the king and his soldiers stood mighty on their ground as they meet the thousand Persians soldiers. The famous phalanx formation of Sparta, become a hindrance to advancing force, and only by the use of betrayal did they manage to put to an end on Leonidas and his mighty soldiers. But their death only serves as a catalyst for Greece to work together and stop the Persian army from conquering their land.
At first, Roland has an inclination for a straight-up brawl against their opponent. But he chooses not to, knowing that Leonidas is not only a king, he's also a tactician and a skillful warrior. That approach would not work against them, he needed to think of something that efficient and effective against their opponent. On top of that, he also doesn't want to lose this match. Nero, the emperor of Rome choose them to compete. Charlemagne and Bradamante are definitely watching them outside the reality marble. And there are tons of girls that going to be disappointed if they lose. But most importantly, his a newcomer on the sovereign faction, he needs to show his worthiness and return the gratitude on welcoming him to this newfound family. This is why he waited in anticipation of their move, he wanted to for the spear-wielding servant to make his move. If they are on the receiving end of an attack, then perhaps he can come up with an immediate counterattack.
So the leader of the paladins waited, he patiently waited but their opponent didn't make a move. As the calm wind blows to their body, he can tell from the glimpse that Astolfo giving at him that his puzzled about the hold-up. The audience outside the reality marble is probably starting to lose patience from the nothingness that is happening. Roland look onto Leonidas's eyes, he saw the self-restrain of the king, similar to him, Leonidas is also waiting for them to make their move. But unlike the leader of the paladin, the lancer can do this all day, he can wait and ignore the spectator's anticipation for a glorious battle between their group. Seeing Roland let out a sigh of defeat, it shows the sign that Leonidas won the battle between tolerance, and the crowd will not have to wait any longer as the pink-haired paladin and their automatons started to march toward them.
"Spartacus," Leonidas called the rebellious gladiator in front of him. "I won't hold you anymore. Run amok towards our opponent to your heart's content." He said. Like a dog got released from its leash, the gladiator immediately charges towards the marching group with a wide grin of excitement painted all over his face. With a swing of the gladius on his hand, it ravages the automatons, reducing their numbers greatly. Keeping the grin on his face, Spartacus then grab one of the automaton head, lifting its entire body in the air, the gladiator uses the automaton like a hammer, smashing it left and right against the remaining automatons. "Crap!" Astolfo said as he ducks to avoid the poor automaton that thrown at him, he then heard a sound of crush behind him. "Astolfo watch out!" He heard Roland's voice in the distance, and then immediately rolled away when he saw the shadow of the gladiator weapon above him. "This is fun! Haha!" Spartacus laugh in content as he chases after the pink-haired paladin.
"He took out all our automatons by himself," Roland whispered under his breath. But then he should have expected it, these attack automatons are nothing against a servant. But now they are outnumbered, he began to wonder when their planter going summon another batch of automatons. The paladin cannot leave their planter unguarded, and yet leaving Astolfo to fight Spartacus alone would be a problem as well. Especially when his colleague clearly having a hard time to recover against the berserker assaults. Putting his hand on the Durandal, he charges toward the rebellious gladiator to lend a hand on Astolfo. "Hargh!" Roland shouted as he stops the gladius from cutting the pink-haired paladin to half, he then planted his armored boot onto Spartacus's stomach and kick him away from them. "Nice assist!" Astolfo exclaimed. "Pull out your weapon will ya?!" replied by the blond paladin. "Huh!?" Roland utters after feeling an arm lock onto his stomach, he became confused when his feet ascend to the ground. "Roland!" He heard Astolfo's voice in surprise before his head hit the ground strongly. Little did he know that Spartacus immediately recover from his kick and throw him into a suplex.
Now that he made the leader of that paladin stunned. A wide grin appears on his face, Spartacus then launches himself and tackle Astolfo. "Gah!" He heard the cry of the pink-haired paladin gasping for air as he tackled him to the ground. Standing on his feet, the gladiator keeps the grin on his face as he watches Astolfo rolling in pain. The gladiator turns around to look on Roland, and the grin on his face disappeared when the paladin appeared in front of him with the Durandal raise above his head. Roland roared as he mowed the berserker in half. But got surprised when something stops his momentum, his weapon went halt and just a few inches away from Spartacus's head. "So this is the barrier that caster is talking about." Leonidas utter as he watches their fight in the distance. "This could be useful." commented by the king of Sparta as he stares at the bracer on his arm. The berserker, on the other hand, took the window of opportunity to put Roland on another suplex. Quickly locking his arms to the paladin's stomach, he goes behind him and throws him, which results in Roland topple over multiple times as he hit the ground.
"Roland…" Astolfo murmured before summoning his shining golden lance the 'Trap of Argalia'. The rider then swiftly rush toward Spartacus, pointing the tip of the lance on the gladiator's heart, but to his shock, the man didn't make any attempt to avoid the spear, instead he happily waited for it in excitement, with the gladius on the berserker's hand. Their weapon soon clashes each other and push the two away from one another. Astolfo almost lost his footing from the impact, but immediately recover to exchange blow with him. The pink-haired paladin made sure to keep his distance away from Spartacus, not wanting any part of his body get grab by the berserker, he becomes quick and nimble while sending hits of his own. "Spartacus is doing a great job against those two, I think its time for me to do my part," Leonidas said while watching the fight in distance. "Onward my soldiers, onward and destroy that planter!" He commanded their attack automatons, without any protest or thing to say, the automatons charge toward the paladin's planter.
"Dammit!" Astolfo let out in frustration after seeing their movement. He immediately breaks away from Spartacus to attend the coming automatons. "Unforgivable! Punishment for those who run away from a fight!" Spartacus roared in a mixed feeling of anger and excitement as he chases after the rider. "Come on, leave me alone!" Astolfo cried out, he did his utmost effort to avoid the chasing berserker while taking the automatons one by one. While he doing this, Astolfo saw Leonidas pointing his spear. 'At me?!' He thought with mild panic. As Leonidas throw his spear, the paladin forcefully presses his feet on the ground to stop, successfully avoiding the spear, his about to celebrate but notice something wrong. As the spear pass through his way, he followed where the spear is going. He then realizes that it wasn't meant for him, Leonidas isn't aiming for him, his aiming for their planter.
Astolfo tried to stop the spear, but it was too late, the spear is already close to piercing through their planter. "Peerless blessing of Durandal, deploy!" Before all hope was lost, Astolfo heard a voice of aspiration. Their planter glows in bright light and destroys Leonidas spear on contact. "Roland!" The paladin shouted in joy after seeing his cousin back on its feet. "Took you a while to recover!" Astolfo complained on Roland, but still happy regardless. "I just got suplex twice!" Roland replied as he catches his breath. "Anyway, keep your focus." He reminded the pink-haired paladin. Luckily he manages to save their planter, but it leads him to use one of his noble phantasms to do it. From the damages he receives from Spartacus and from using a noble phantasm, he can tell that if the flow of this match continues, he's going to get eliminated first. 'I need to think of a plan.' He thought while gazing on the two servants their facing. From the start of the match, the gladiator is owning them by himself, meanwhile, Leonidas is just watching in the distance and guarding their own planter. He doesn't want to admit it, but by the time they beat Spartacus, they don't have anything left against the lancer.
He can fight Spartacus by himself. But the bracer is only allowing them to use half of their power, once that half is gone then they are gone from this match. He could potentially run through them and destroy their planter, but he needed to use a noble phantasm for that to happen. However, Leonidas won't let that happen, the spartan king has something in mind to stop such tactics. "What to do…" Roland murmured and begun to think thoughtfully. Astolfo could handle himself against Spartacus, but what if he got caught by surprise, then his cousin will be in big trouble. Also, who knows when Leonidas is going to interfere to help his teammate. They could team up against the berserker, but what if another spear got thrown to their planter while they're busy. "Dammit, I wish I could use my full strength," Roland said while looking on the bracer on his arms. "Just how heavy this thing going to become-" He stops while in mid of realization. "That's it! I know what to do now!" Astolfo looks onto his cousin in bewilderment. "What are you talking about?" He asks Roland. "I have a plan!" The leader of the paladin said before sending him a smile and gesturing him to come closer.
Meanwhile, outside the reality marble. Boudica and her group are watching closely the fight. The female rider felt satisfied on how Leonidas and Spartacus handle this match, they're clearly winning against the paladins that Nero pick. If this continues, then the first match is theirs to take. As she watches on the screen, Boudica wonders what plan does the paladin has on their mind. The pink-haired paladin launch himself toward Spartacus without any hesitation. Do they think that he alone could stand against the famous gladiator? Sure he has the speed, but once Spartacus manages to get hold with him, then he's done for. This decision they're making is questionable at best. "Are they giving up? The wielder of Durandal should be the one to fight against Spartacus." Boudica asks her companions. "Perhaps his just resting, after all, he did take a lot from berserker." Jing Ke replied beside her. "That is true, but how long does he plan to rest? Once Spartacus caught him off guard, he'll probably be going to end up like their automatons." Boudica answered. "I don't think that's it." She heard Bradamante's voice coming on her side. The girl shows herself with a soft smile painted on her face. "Astolfo might be the weakest among our ranks and Roland might be a pervert at times. But they're still my cousins, because of that, I'm a hundred percent they aren't giving up! Just you watch, they're going to do something no one has ever expected." Bradamante stated. "It's in our family bloodline to be like that." She said and smiled sheepishly at her.
Back inside the reality marble, Leonidas is watching carefully the two servants in the middle. "There is no way for Spartacus to lose against him…" He murmured under his helmet. "But just in case." He then tightens his hold on the spear before aiming it to Astolfo. "A small distraction should be enough to take him out." As he said, he felt the ground shake a little. "Hmm?" He looks carefully below him and saw the ground is indeed shaking. Leonidas shifted his focus on two in the middle, they still continue their fight. Unsure on what is happening, he tried to ignore it but failed when a bright light began to glow behind the two servants. "Du-!" He heard the voice of Roland, the paladin is charging energy on the Durandal. "Is he insane? He's using another noble phantasm?!" He stated in disbelief, the leader of the paladin then charge toward the gladiator. "Spartacus!" Leonidas called out the gladiator in hope for him to see and become aware of the paladin's plan. But he didn't move, instead, he welcomes the paladin with a wide grin. "Come to me!" Spartacus taunted with open arms. "Oh no, you don't," Astolfo said, using his lance he forcefully pushed the berserker away from Roland.
That act made Leonidas confused. That paladin just saved Spartacus from being eliminated. "What are they doing?" He utters and tried to comprehend what's is going on. "Wait is he?-" The spartan king notice that Roland didn't stop his charge, rather he continues his track toward him while charging the Durandal. Leonidas felt the power gathering from the sword, its immense, its powerful, its unstoppable. His body alone couldn't stand this power, he needed to use his own noble phantasm to prevent Durandal from taking him and their planter out. Raising his spear, the spirit of the mighty spartan that joined him begun to materialize behind him. The air blow strong as they formed one by one. "Ran-!" but it didn't stop Roland from charging in. Leonidas then stomps the flat part of his spear on the ground. "Molon Labe!" He shouted and the soldiers behind him repeated. "Molon Labe!" Stomping the spear once again on the ground, he repeated. "Molon Labe!" The soldier said back and mimic his gesture before throwing their spear on the air. Three hundred spear thrown in the air and soon will rain itself at Roland.
The leader of the paladin admits his surprise from the sight, but he's not stopping now, his going all out, he's going to win this match. Roland keeps running toward Leonidas and his spartan soldiers, he swings the Durandal to deflect the spears that falling above him, he keeps doing it until his just a few meters away from the king. "Impressive," Leonidas commend the paladin. "But I won't let myself falter because of that!" He then slammed his spear on his round shield, the soldiers behind him run on the front and made the famous phalanx formation. "Here goes! My friends, bring your souls hither! Thermopylae…Enomotia!" A wall of bronze rounded shields formed in front of Leonidas. "Dal!" Roland cried out before jumping up in the air and release a powerful slash on the waiting noble phantasm of Leonidas. "Haaaa!" The paladin shouted as he pushed through the noble phantasm. One by one the bronze shield started to shatter and Leonidas is doing his best to keep his feet on the ground. "This…is…Spartaaaaa!" The king roared back and release the power it gathered from the Durandal and send it back to its owner.
The ground shake and the place exploded in bright light. Even the people outside the reality marble felt the power coming from the two clashing noble phantasms inside. The light soon faded away, only the smoke from the explosion left from letting Leonidas on seeing clearly. "You did great. Even my great ancestors will say the same." He said as the paladin appears in front of him, the man's body is smoking and on the verge of collapsing to the ground. "Is…that…so?" Roland replied before taking a few steps toward Leonidas. "Yes, you're incredible Sir Roland." The king answered to assure to the paladin. He saw the man softly smiled before falling at him. "It's…up to you…now…Cousin." He murmured before putting him and Leonidas on the ground. "What in the?" Leonidas utter in surprise. "I can't move!" He said while pushing the paladin that's on top of him. "How can a man be this heavy!" The king used all of his strength to push the unconscious man, but his attempt didn't work as Roland is incredibly heavy.
"Wait, is it because of his bracer?" He asks himself before trying to look at the bracer that they're wearing. Unlike the one his wearing, Roland's bracer lost its color. "Did I fall into their trap?" Before Leonidas could answer his own question, he heard an inhuman roar in the distance. "Here I go!" Astolfo said as he jumps in the air and mounted the bird-like creature. "Spartacus! Go after their planter!" Leonidas ordered the berserker after realizing the full picture of the paladin's plan. Spartacus listened and realize that they're about to lose this match, he makes a beeline to their opponent planter, his about to maw down the planter. But Astolfo and the Hippogriff is already flying toward their own planter. "Show me your true power! Hippogriff!" He said before they flash toward their target. The ground once again exploded in bright light, making everyone to cover their eyes.
"The results are here!" Marie said as she appears on the floating screen. "The match is so close that there is only a split second difference. But the winner of the first match is…" She pauses to make everyone be on the edge of their seats. "Roland and Astolfo!" The queen announces and the monitor shows the face of the victors. "Because of that, the Nero team will earn fifteen points for winning this match, while the Boudica team will earn ten points." She stated and clapped her hand to congratulate the winners. "Umu! The first match is ours!" Nero exclaimed in satisfaction with the match results. "I never doubted those two, their performance is absolutely amazing!" She stated in delight. But saw her master look unhappy. "Praetor, you seem distracted about something. Is something wrong?" The emperor asks the female master who's been quiet for a while. "Oh?" Hakuno let out after being lost in thoughts. "Praetor?" Nero called out, this time she's worried about the way her master is acting. "Its…" Hakuno tried to answer the worries of Nero, but couldn't bring herself to tell about what happened earlier.
She's concerned about Jeanne d'Arc right now. The saint of Orleans didn't take the truth about Ren's condition lightly. She felt bad from seeing the girl cry, she as well felt her tears dropping from hearing the words on her own mouth. Hakuno wishes she could do something to relieve the pain that Jeanne felt and save Ren from dying. But then, even though she's the sovereign, she is still helpless against the Moon Cell. 'Should I tell her?' Hakuno asks herself. 'Should I tell everyone about Ren?' She began to be lost in thoughts once more. If Jeanne didn't take the truth lightly, then how would everyone else react. She cannot even stand to see the saint crying in front of her earlier. What about everyone else, Charlemagne, Astolfo, Marie, everyone that been friends with him. How can she have the courage to tell them? "Congratulations on your team victory, emperor Nero." Hakuno heard a familiar voice coming behind her. "Oh Saint George? Saint Martha as well!? I've heard that caster brings the two of you here. I'm happy to see that you'd make it here." Nero greeted the two saints. "It seems Kishinami-san has a lot of things on her mind." The male saint pointed out when he saw the girl's expression.
"She does, she been quite and spacing out for a while." The crimson saber told the saints. The male rider nodded his head and speak. "Perhaps a change in scenery would help? Maybe you could show her the chariot you're going to use for the race. That should free her from the thoughts she has in mind." Saint George suggested to the girl. Nero smiled brightly and nodded her head in agreement. "That is a great idea. Praetor, come I'll show the finest horse here on our Rome!" Nero said as she holds Hakuno's hand and guides her to where the horses are. "She's thinking about what happened earlier does she?" Martha asks her fellow saint. Saint George nods his head to answer. "Should we look for Jeanne? I'm worried about her." She said in concern about her friend, she remembers Jeanne just run away while on tears after Hakuno said she can't do anything about Ren's condition. "Don't worry about her. She'll show up." said the male saint. "Her match is next. Knowing Jeanne, she doesn't want Ren to worry about her if she failed to show." Saint George stated.
"You seem taking things lightly. Are you not shocked to hear Ren's condition?" Saint Martha asks and pointed out to George. The saint in question shakes his head before answering. "To be honest, I wish I could." He said. "I still cannot believe that the man we took care of is in a brick of dying." Due to his frustration, George didn't notice that his hand-formed into a fist. "He's the golden boy on Lundy, one with a kind heart and always there to lend a hand to help. What did he do to deserve this? That is the question I've wanted to ask Kishinami-san, but I believe, even her don't know the answer for it." Saint George looks at the ceiling as if staring at the sky above. "Nevertheless, we need to stay strong for Ren. Keeping him safe is the least we and Lundy could return for the kindness he showed to us." The man forces a smile as he looks at the girl beside him. "Yes, you're right…" was all Martha master to reply.
"Let's not stand here while looking all sobbed and gloomy. Why not we joined Tamamo in the announcer room? I'm eager to meet the queen of France as well." He suggested. Seeing her nod, the two went to where Tamamo is, trying to their best to stay strong for their friend.
A girl leaning in the wall, her body is shaking while the tears falling on her face. "Why…" Her voice is stuttering as she speaks. "Coming on the left side, please give her a warm welcome!" She overheard an announcement outside. "The saint of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc!" The girl took a deep breath. Its time for her match to start. As she tried to wipe the tears on her face and walk toward the stage, her legs failed to move. They are shaking and she felt her tears started to flow again. "He's dying…" She whimpered and remembered what the sovereign told her in that room. 'I don't know how much time he has left.' Hakuno said while looking dejected. 'I can't do anything about it either. I'm so sorry.' After that she runs away, she heard their voice trying to stop her, but she didn't listen, her feet keep going until she couldn't take it anymore. "Ren…" Jeanne utters the man's name. "Ahem! Once again, Jeanne d'Arc! Everyone give her a warm welcome!" She heard the announcer voice once again and there was a sound of thunderous applause from the audience outside.
Gathering her strength, the saint force her feet to move. Even though she feeling them still shaking from all the emotion she's feeling, she keeps them moving until she got greeted by the sight of the arena they're going used and the many people watching them. Jeanne hides her face on everyone as she steps toward the arena. 'I don't know how much time he has left.' She keeps hearing Hakuno's voice on her mind. 'Ren's dying.' Jeanne said to herself. 'Why?' Her memories with him started to play. The time they meet on that rainy day, the time he saves her, the time they enjoyed walking around Lundy. 'Why does the Moon Cell want him to die? I've answered its call and lend a hand to help from the threats here on Seraph, why does it want to take someone important in my life. Is my service to it wasn't enough?!' She shut her eyes in anguish. Jeanne doesn't want to keep this line of thought on her, but she could not stop it from everything that is happening.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jeanne opened her eyes and saw Bradamante giving her a concerned look. "I'm fine…" She said and force an answer. Due to being lost in thoughts, she didn't realize that her opponent is standing in front of her. "You sure?" The female paladin asks, Jeanne nodded her head, but Bradamante isn't satisfied with her answer. She saw trails of tears and even though she's hiding it, she saw how her body is shaking. "You can forfeit this match if you're not feeling well." She suggested. "No, I'm fine." The saint answered before summoning the flag on her hand and getting into her fighting stance. 'She's a stubborn type isn't she?' Bradamante thought to herself, there is something wrong with her opponent, but she's just going to keep saying she is fine. Letting out a sigh, she took several steps away from the saint before summoning her own weapon, a spear that is way shorter than a normal spear and a star shape glowing shield.
She went into her fighting stance by putting her shield in front of her. The two looks like staring at each other, but in reality, the saint of Orleans is lost in thoughts once again. Bradamante notices it and felt mildly infuriated, the paladin then dashed toward the unguarded saint. She saw how the girl's body startled and eyes went wide from getting surprised before getting out of the line of her charge. "Just jumped out on the arena or forfeit this match!" Bradamante shouted at her opponent. "You're clearly distracted about something." She said before looking straight on the saint eyes. "I'm not..." Jeanne replied and tried to hit the paladin. But her opponent easily evaded her attempts due to how predictable and slow her attack is. "Stop being so stubborn!" The lancer lashed out and used her shield to tackle the saint.
Jeanne got pushed away and rolled to the tiled floor of the arena. Slowly getting back to her feet, the ruler class servant sprint toward her opponent and swing her flag pole in a wide arc. But the female paladin jumps away from it, resulting in the saint to hit the floor. "Just stop and deal with your problem first, will you-!" Bradamante said and immediately duck to avoid the sharp tip of the flag pole that almost cut her neck. Using the flat side of her shield, she stands up and bash the chin of the saint and send her up in the air. She then rushes toward the falling girl and gives her a side kick on the stomach, throwing Jeanne on the near edge of the arena. "I should put more oomph into that kick," Bradamante utter in disappointment from not throwing the girl out of the arena. Looking at the bracer on her arms, it will keep them safe from harm, which means she doesn't need to hold her punches. But then, the way Jeanne is acting right now is distracting her as well.
She wonders what happened. Last time Bradamante saw her, she was smiling and excited about their match as well. Yet right now, there was no smile on Jeanne's face nor is there any feeling of excitement. There is only sorrow, nothing but that ugly feeling that Bradamante is very familiar with. She as well experiences this during her time, but it doesn't affect her that much anymore. Yes, the female paladin admits that she cannot obtain the 'happy ending' she and his beloved found in life, and of course that was sad. But 'acceptance comes after sorrow' or so the phrase she took into the heart. Maybe the saint is going through the same experience as her? Or maybe something similar in between? Regardless she wanted to know what it was so that she can help her to get over it.
"I guess, I need to stop you first huh." Bradamante murmured when she notices the saint is back on her feet. Hearing the sound of the saint sprint, the female paladin pointed her spear in the front. She then began to chant under her breath, the entrusted spear that Astolfo gave to her begun to glow brightly, and when the saint got closer and about to cut her in half, Bradamante spear shoot off multiple-beam of light at Jeanne. From the midst of the explosion, Bradamante smiled to herself. "That should do it-!" The paladin got interrupted when she felt a hard metal hit her stomach and sent her flying. "What happened!" Bradamante cried out in disbelief, looking below her, she saw Jeanne d'Arc standing strongly and looked fine even though she just got swallowed by the beams of light a mere moment ago.
Jeanne gaze at the paladin who's still in the air. Unsheathing the sword on her waist, she sends multiple sword wave attack on Bradamante. Her opponent immediately put her shield on her front to block the glass-shattering waves. Then the saint saw an opportunity to strike and swiftly spin Luminosité Eternelle above her head, she began to slowly lift from the air and hovered toward the preoccupied female lancer who didn't saw her coming. "Ha!" The saint of Orleans shouted as she hammered Bradamante down and crash hard to the arena floor, creating a small crater in the middle. Once she landed, Jeanne immediately jumps out from it the crater to avoid the beam of lights that fired at her.
"I guess, you're not a top servant for nothing, even if you're distracted. You'd still manage to hit me hard." The female paladin stated after recovering from the fall. Even though there is a sign of bruises all over her body, Bradamante still sent a smile on her opponent. "But still, you are not acting normal." She said before pointing the spear upward, a spiral pattern of lights begun to gather on its sharp end. "I can tell that we're a pea on the same pod since were both stubborn. Which is why I'm going to stop you before you've ended up hurting yourself." Feeling her spear has gathered enough energy, Bradamante keeps the friendly smile on her while facing the saint. "Here it goes! Witness its dazzling beauty! Bouclier de Atalante!" She shouted before firing the concentrated spiral beam onto Jeanne.
Jeanne planted her flag onto the ground while grasping tightly onto it. "My lord, protect me from harm. My flag shines brightly! Luminosité Eterne-!" Before she could finish the chant to deploy her noble phantasm. The saint stops and becomes lost in thoughts. 'I don't know how much time he has left.' She heard the sovereign voice inside her head. "Ren…" Jeanne whispered before she felt her strength leaving her body. Without any protection against Bradamante's noble phantasm, she got swallowed by the spiral beam, then felt her feet slowly leave the floor.
"The winner of this match is…Bradamante! Which results for the Boudica team to earn ten points, while team Nero only receives five!" The queen of France announces and the audience roared in amazement from the spectacle they have witnessed during the match. Ren who's watching the whole match closely felt the same as well, but he's also become concerned about Jeanne's performance. "I should go check if Jeanne alright." He murmured while gazing at the arena and the two contestants who seem to exchange words from each other.
"You seem doing fine." Ren heard a familiar voice behind him. Looking at who it was, he saw Archer approaching him who looks relieved from seeing him. "I hope you aren't angry at Hakuno for not fixing your body." The white-haired servant said. Ren shakes his head before making a reply. "I'm not. It seems there are problems with the Moon Cell." He said and felt Archer's tapping his left shoulder. "Everything is going to be okay. Knowing her, she not going to stop helping you." The young thief smiled softly from hearing that on him. Hakuno does seem that kind of person like Archer has said. "She probably wanted you to take it easy, but it doesn't look like your condition going to stop you from helping everyone as well." What Archer said surprises him. Even his friends on the phantom thieves of hearts said the same as well. "I can't help it," Ren replied while keeping the smile on his face.
Archer chuckled from his answer. "You cannot help it huh?" He said. "Are you some kind of hero that embodiment justice?" He jests at the young thief. But he got surprised when he heard him answering. "That is a bit too much for someone like me. Don't you think?" The wrought iron hero becomes curious about Ren's statement and asks what he meant by that. "A hero that embodiment justice or hero of justice for short. From the books, I've read from a friend of mine that liked superheroes. They're heroes that wanted to save everyone from harm, right?" He nodded his head to answer Ren question.
"I've been avoiding to become like that," Ren stated, he then notices Archer's eyes widen from his answer. "Could you explain your reason why?" He nods and did what the crimson servant had requested. "Wanting to save everyone from harm isn't exactly a bad thing. But the problem lies from the people that keep getting saved by the heroes, to the point it became too much. Instead of keeping them away from harm, this idea will only serve as a breeding ground for a sin called sloth. Humanity will lose the interest of taking care of themselves because they're heroes out there that 'always' going to help them. Basically, too much is too bad." Ren explained thoughtfully to Archer.
"Which is why I've said that title is too much for me. I'm not a hero of justice that saves everyone, I'm an anti-hero that will do the world a favor for a cold harsh wake-up call. So then they start regaining their senses and act according to it." The young thief stated. Archer took his time to understand Ren's reasoning. There is wisdom on his statement, whenever a hero defeated a villain, the next possible enemy is the general public. Being a hero is a senseless and unrewarding job, he knows as much since he tried to become one.
"If only you've met 'him'. Maybe he'll know of the many faces of being a hero." Archer whispered on his breath while reminiscing of the day when a young man strives to become a 'Hero of Justice'. "Sorry, did you say something?" He heard from the young thief. "I've said, you should check over Jeanne. The girl collapse from exhaustion." Archer replied. Hearing that, Ren immediately looks at the arena and saw Jeanne on the floor. Quickly saying his goodbye to him, he took off, leaving him alone or so he thought. "Aren't your match coming next?" He said before looking at the column behind him.
"I wasn't eavesdropping on purpose," Artoria said before revealing herself on the man. She then saw Archer release a sigh from the sight of foods on her arms. "Whatever." She heard from him. The crimson archer is about to leave, but she stops him to ask a question. "Who was he?" She asks. "That's Ren Amamiya. Why you ask?" Archer answered while looking at her in curiosity. Artoria just nodded to herself after knowing the raven-haired man's name. "This is a bit strange to hear, but I somehow, found myself agreeing to what you've had said." She said before leaving the man in bewilderment on her statement. Then again, even she's puzzled on why she said that maybe it has something to do with a distant memory of hers? Shaking her head, she decided to focus on the important tasks. Her match against the king of paladins is much important than anything else.
Jeanne woke up with a hazy vision, blinking several times to make the haziness go away, her vision soon become clearer. "Oh, thank goodness your awake." She heard a voice from her side. Looking at who it was, her eyes went into surprise when she saw Ren sitting on a chair beside her bed. The young man has a plate with peeled oranges on his hand. "Hey don't force yourself to move." She heard him said in panic when she tried to get herself up. The saint felt his gentle hand on her shoulder and tried to put her back to rest. "Please, let me…" Jeanne pleaded before grabbing his hand. The young thief understood what she wanted and helped her to sit up.
"Thank you." She said at him and tried to smile. But she failed, when she looked at him, she cannot even force out a smile to show how grateful she is. The pain on her own heart is much greater than what her body is feeling, and the source of it all is this young man who's looking at her in genuine concern. "Ren," Jeanne utter his name. She doesn't want to see him, she isn't ready to face him, not when she knows how dire his situation is right now. And yet, she wanted to be on his side, she wanted to help him, protect him.
But then, there's a thought that comes to her mind. What if she failed, what if she failed protecting him? How is she going to accept that the man who's important to her is gone? These questions made her start doubting herself, it even scared her. Tears have begun to fall on her face, she holds onto his hand and tightens her grip like it was a lifesaver. "Hey, do you want to talk about it?" She heard his gentle voice, she also felt his other hand wiping her tears. "I can wait until your ready." He said. Even though her vision is a bit blurry from crying, she can fell his warming smile, the same smile that lightens her mood whenever she looks at it.
Out of the male surprise, she buried her face onto his chest and bawl like a child. "There, there." She heard from him while he caresses the back of her head. A young thief caring gently over the crying saint on his chest, the two of them stayed like this for a while, even though Jeanne could not shed any more of her tears, they didn't let go on each other. The saint looks into him with a dejected look. "Ren, I…" Jeanne stuttered at first before trying again. "I…heard everything about how serious your situation right now…" She said and felt her hold into him become tight. "Where did you heard it?" The girl heard him asking in mild surprise. "I heard it from Hakuno," Jeanne answered in remorse.
Realization soon hit the phantom thief. "I see…of course she knows about it." He said. "I thought only my personas know about it." Ren was a bit unhappy when he said that. He doesn't want to make people worry. But then again, he shouldn't keep it all by himself. The young man felt the girl's face on his chest. "She said…that you don't have much time left…because your body isn't accepting any more mana." He heard from her. "Not only that…the Moon Cell isn't going to helping you from it, but it will also send a servant to deal with you…" Ren felt the arms of the saint that is holding him become even more tighter.
Keeping her hold onto him, she hides his chest. "I…" Jeanne tapped deep inside her heart to utter the words it wanted to say to him. "I don't want to lose you…" She finally said it. "Jeanne." The saint heard his voice, there are guilt and sadness on his voice when he said it, and the saint didn't like it. "I'm sorry." Jeanne felt emotionally hurt by hearing him apologizing. "I've remembered you said something at that evening party in France. You said the two of us are going to visit my hometown, how are we going to do that if you are gone…" She said. The girl then began to reminisce about it. That night in France is very memorable to her, whenever she thinks about her hometown, the thief voice always comes to her mind, about the two of them going there together.
She's hesitant to go back to her hometown, because when she has thrown everything away and headed the lord plead for help, Jeanne made up her mind that she could never return to her village anymore. But when he suggested going there and hearing his story about his own hometown experience. She slowly starts to forget her reason for not returning there, Ren returned to that place even though his people labeled him a criminal. He returned because his free from the accusation, but also because he moved on from everything that happened.
Because of that, Jeanne made up her mind "Promise me…" She said while looking into his eyes. This man achieves true freedom, and she deeply admires it about him. "Promise me that we'll still be going to do that together!" The saint pleaded. Deep down she wanted to gain that freedom similar to his, but more importantly, to get it together with him. This is why she making him make a promise with her so that Ren will have more reason to keep fighting the fate that's approaching him.
Ren felt his lost in words after hearing that from her. He tried to answer, but the voice of a familiar friend inside his head stop him. 'Don't make promises that you cannot keep.' said by a man that been a thorn for the phantom thieves, but also become a great help to them and a friend to him. "Ren?" He heard her waiting for his answer. But his situation right now made it hard for him to keep promises. He admits that he'd face many life and death situations before, but he never been on one where he cannot do anything against it. What he facing is a road bleak with darkness, and the only way out is to blindly walk through it.
His corner with nothing to do. But when he looks into Jeanne's eyes, words came out naturally on his mouth. "I will, I promise." He said and could not anymore avert his eyes onto hers. The hope on her eyes, it's like a beacon of light for the road his going to take and even felt relieved when he felt her arms around him. The two of them stayed like this for almost an eternity, with smiles on their faces.
The two servants from the saber class meet in the middle of the stage. The Holy Roman emperor, Charlemagne, gazes into his opponent's calmed eyes. Artoria Pendragon also known as Arthur Pendragon. Charlemagne heard many great things about her, many called her the 'Once and future king' and the king of knights. A legendary figure in Britain that never lost its glory even decades has passed. He admits, he's feeling nervous right now. But then his excited to face a king like him, a knight that hold chivalry over anything like them, the paladins.
Artoria smiled softly when they face each other. The king and his group of paladins that Merlin helped, she wonders how good they are. After all, the magus of the flower has a rare interest in an individual, but whenever someone got his interest, it's definitely out of ordinary. The girl heard some stories about them as well, especially when Bradamante began to tell stories about them gleefully during her stay on Boudica's settlement. She's ready to start their match, but it could wait after a small conversation with him. "Good day, I hope you're feeling well for our match." She said in pleasantries. The young king sheepishly smiled as he talks. "To be honest, I'm fairly nervous right now. But I'm not going to let that be a hindrance to our match. I'm going to win." He replied while looking into her eyes. Artoria nodded her head and smiled at the confidence that his showing. "I see, but before we start. Could we set out our own rules first?" She said and saw the man become surprised.
"What is it?" Charlemagne in curiosity about her request.
Hearing that, Artoria revealed her precious weapon covered in 'Invincible Air'. A special sheath made from multiple layers of wind that cover and conceal the legendary sword, the 'Excalibur'. Its entire purpose is to hide her identity from the enemy. After all, if someone identifies the sword, then her whole identity will easily get exploit. And the rules she wanted to lay down has something to do with it. "Let's not use our noble phantasm for this duel. I'm afraid of the damages that it could do, and I wanted our match to be based on pure skills that we have. That's all I wanted." She stated her request on the paladin.
Charlemagne looks into the sword that Artoria is holding. The sword is completely concealed to his naked eye, but he can still feel its powerful presence radiating from it. He understands why she's doesn't want to use it and nodded to agree on the rules she set and made her smile. Seeing his opponent weapon is out, the king of paladin draws out the 'Joyeuse' on his waist. "Then let us begin-" His about to say but stop from getting surprised when Artoria threw the bracer that Tamamo made. "Hey, isn't it against the rules to not use that bracer? Also, aren't you worried about getting hurt?" He questions the saber's action.
Artoria adjusted her gauntlet before making a reply. "If I wear that bracer, then this would be an unfair fight." She said, before giving out an explanation to not confuse the paladin. "I have a high amount of mana and that thing coverts mana into a barrier doesn't it? Then if I use that, you'll find yourself into an unfair situation. Since I could just run at you without any worry of dodging or blocking your attacks." Artoria stated in a reminder on what happens to Spartacus during the first match. She saw her opponent nodded in understanding, but to her shock, the paladin also threw his bracer off the stage. "Then it's only fair if I don't have any mana converting barrier to use. First one to touch the ground lose, okay?" She heard from him.
Everyone who's watching in the coliseum went silent when the two hovered their weapon on top of each other and waited in anticipation of what about to happen next. In the blink of an eye, the blue female saber throws a wide swing onto the paladin forcing him to back away. But not letting her opponent recover, she immediately dashed and close her distance on him. Swinging her weapon in perfectly and calculated swing that force Charlemagne to play defensive.
The king of paladin tried to retaliate, but Artoria isn't giving him any opening to parry, nor she's giving him any opening to do anything besides to block. It doesn't end there, he realizes that his getting pushed toward the edge of the stage. Desperately trying to found a way out, Charlemagne took a leap of faith and rolled to her side. Thank the stars it worked, the paladin then attempted to turn the tables against his opponent by pushing her off the ledge. However, his plan got notice, repeating what she did earlier, Artoria swung her sword and force him to stop on his tracks.
Still haven't caught his breath, Charlemagne went into defense to block the powerful slashes of the king of knights. The king of paladin knew that his getting outclassed right now, his opponent's close combat ability is far superior to his own. He cannot find any opening to get out, his always getting forced to make risky moves just to escape before they rinse and repeat. 'I need something to match her speed.' He thought after blocking the sword coming on his left. 'Just wait patiently and-!' suddenly he jumps in the air to avoid the swing aimed at his leg. While in the air, he transformed 'Joyeuse' into a mace that belongs to his paladin peers. Holding it strongly, he hammered it down toward the blue saber below him.
The crowd roared in amazement while the ground explodes in a fiery image upon impact, resulting in the dust of smoke on where it crushed. Artoria jumped out from the smoke and looked unharmed from the explosion. Luckily her instinct kicked in and avoided getting squashed by the mace, but she's a bit surprised about it. "So his not limited on just using a sword…" She murmured to herself while wary about what may come out from the smoke. Its the king of knights first time seeing a saber class using a different weapon. An interesting ability to witness, sadly its element of surprise is gone now.
Half of the crowd inside the arena has begun shouting the paladin's name. While they're in the midst of cheering, a blue-winged javelin-like weapon burst out the smoke and went straight at Artoria. The blue saber dodges the coming projectile, but in the far end of her vision, she saw more of this javelin-like weapon thrown at her. Quickly making a move, she runs around doing a full circle on the stage and evaded all five javelins. When she thought she's safe and stops, the paladin jumped out from the fading smoke while holding a halberd in both hands. "Take this!" She heard him shouting before swinging the weapon in a wide arc, sending a strong gust of wind at her.
Artoria defends herself using the 'invisible air' from the strong wind. She felt the ground slowly breaking, and her feet losing its grip. But the king of the knights fight through it, holding tightly on her weapon, she shows everyone her strength and deflects the wind toward the sky. Yet, things didn't end there, when the paladin's feet touch the floor, they both charge onto each other and went into a duel. Everyone watches their battle, even though their eyes sometimes cannot tell who's winning, it didn't stop them from cheering their names.
While they're fighting, Artoria notices the drastic change in Charlemagne. He's much stronger and faster than earlier. She began to wonder if the paladin is just holding back from the start or if he's getting this surge of power somewhere. Whatever the reason is, the paladin is gaining strength as time passes by, and she'll suffer defeat if she didn't do anything. Artoria then figures out something, if she cannot stop him from regaining strength, she's just going to match that strength. Creating a small distance between them, Artoria immediately releases strong magical energy around her, infusing her body and weapon with it, before dashing toward Charlemagne in a jet blast speed.
The paladin successfully blocks the first hit, but then failed from noticing that there was another. He blocks the third one, yet failed from seeing the fourth. This continues until he decided that it was enough, igniting his sword in fire, and tried to hit her with it. But the king of knight stopped it by releasing a strong burst of mana. Because of that, he momentary stunned and miss dodging her swing that sent him in the air.
"I immediately regret my decision." Charlemagne murmured to himself as he gets back to his feet, but when he did, the ground began to shake, and the floor of the stage begun to have long cracks that are shining in bright light. As he stared on the lights coming from the cracks, realization soon hit him. "Is she?!" The paladin shifted his attention away from the lights and look at the blue saber across the stage, he saw the legendary Excalibur stab onto the ground, unsheathed from the 'Invincible Air'. He was about to react, but it was too late for him to stop her because the entire floor exploded in blinding light.
Artoria pulled out the Excalibur from the remaining floor of the stage. "That should do it." She said in a relaxed manner, yet the king didn't lower her guard, not until her victory is still got announce. While she's gazing at the smoke of dust that resulted from the explosion, she saw a silhouette behind the fading smoke. "That wasn't a noble phantasm right?" She heard from the paladin who has five javelin-like weapons behind him while using one of the same weapons as a small platform. Artoria shakes her head before making a reply. "It's not," she said.
Looking around him, Charlemagne chuckled from the sight. "The entire stage is gone." He commented with a smile. The king of the knight joined him and let out a chuckle of her own. "But none of us have touched the ground. This match still hasn't ended." Artoria replied before holding the Excalibur on both of her hands. Seeing that they about to start again, the paladin summoned 'Joyeuse' on his hand. "Break time over then." He said before launching one of the javelins on where she standing destroying it completely.
Artoria release a burst of mana as she jumps toward Charlemagne, swinging the Excalibur at him. Both of their swords have clashed, but without any platform to stand too, the blue saber found herself in a bit of a problem. She felt her body lost its momentum in the air, and slowly descending to the ground. But before she hit the ground, Artoria summoned a whirlwind through the legendary sword and pushed herself high in the air. While in the air, she pointed the Excalibur at the paladin. "Wind's king hammer…Strike air!" She shouted before the Excalibur shine brightly and fired a violent gale below her.
Finding himself cornered, Charlemagne made a desperate attempt to fight against the violent gale. Concentrating on combining all the powers of the great elements into Joyeuse, he held the sword in both of his hands before looking above him. "Let's go! Lumiere du Soleil!" He yelled before unleashing its full power onto the blue saber. The entire Roman coliseum began to shake when the two collided and crash into each other. "Not enough…" Gritting his teeth, the paladin holds Joyeuse tightly and send another one at Artoria. "Another! Lumiere du Soleil!" Charlemagne yelled once again and unleash its power.
"One more! Lumiere du Soleil!" He roared before swinging Joyeuse, this time putting everything he has before releasing its last remaining power. The last thing that Artoria saw was the breathtaking azure-colored wave that coming closer at her. Then after that, a loud explosion has then been heard to the entire Roman city, and the audience holds onto their seats to avoid getting thrown away by the strong wind. When everything began to calm down, Charlemagne looks on the sky and saw the figure of Artoria slowly falling down. "Did I win…" Charlemagne asks himself before his vision went black and the loud buzzing sound has been heard, signaling that match has ended.
"Hey, that was an amazing match to watch." Charlemagne heard a voice behind him. Turning around, he saw Ren holding a bowl full of cut fruits. Surprise on his appearance, but the paladin still let out a smile. "It does? Sadly I'd lose that match." He said in a bittersweet manner. "It is still amazing to watch though, and I know you've given everything you have back there." He heard from him, the thief then stand beside him before joining him on looking at the stars in the palace balcony. Hearing that from him, the paladin decides not to be sad anymore. "You know what? I did give everything I've had there. If only I'm in the same height as her, then perhaps I would've won that." He stated before laughing wholeheartedly, not feeling bad about losing the match.
Charlemagne stops from his laughing pit and looks at his friend. "It would be amazing to see you compete as well! I can imagine the surprise on everyone's faces when you started to show your personas." He said in enthusiasm. "Yeah, the surprise will be there. But I don't think I can fight at the same level as everyone." The thief said. He's about to voice out his disagreement, but Ren has more to say. "By the way, Jeanne told me about what Gilles said at them. It's regarding about Karl." Hearing that name, Charlemagne listens carefully to him.
"Gilles asks me to change Karl's heart. He believes that his not a bad person." When the paladin heard that, he almost let out a chuckle from the absurdness of that statement. But what comes to Ren's mouth afterward surprised him. "I do think it's true," Ren said. Charlemagne looks at the thief in disbelief. "Why would you think he's not? Isn't he trying to dethrone Hakuno from her rule?" He asks in mild annoyance.
Ren looks calmly at him as he speaks. "You've said it. The two of you came are the same person, then which makes me believe that he also possesses the same kindness you're showing to me and everyone. Maybe his goals are just misunderstood or maybe something else." he said. The paladin then went into silent and lost in word on what to say. "Regardless, I think he needs your help more than you antagonize him. Which is why I think you'll be the one that should change his heart." Ren suggests to him.
Charlemagne looks into Ren, uncertain on the meaning of what he just said, he then asks the thief. "Change his heart? How?" He said and saw his raven-haired friend smiled as he answers. "I guess by using the same method in Gilles. His heart change after getting defeated, maybe you just need to do the same. But try to talk some sense to him." Ren said with a bit of jest on his tone. Meanwhile, the paladin is still unsure about what to do. At first, he just wanted to punish the king from all his evil-doing, but now his conflicted on what to do.
Seeing his friend is undecided, Ren decided to give him more time to think and leave. But before that, there is something he wanted to say at him, its something that his been thinking for a while now. "How much do you know about this God that Karl loyally serve?" He asks. Seeing the paladin shake his head, Ren explained his question. "It just that, Gilles said that he'd manage to return to his normal appearance and change class because of this 'God' that Karl introduces to him. I have my suspicion about it, and I think it is worth investigating." he said before turning around. "I need to go now since Jeanne, Altera, Astolfo, Okita, and even Nobu are waiting for these fruits. Oh and also, Hakuno and the others are waiting in the dining hall. Hakuno looks very impressed with your match, you should be happy about it since you have a thing with her." Ren stated and immediately leave before the blushing paladin could say a word.
The second day of the tournament has begun, the last match between Nero and Boudica had already started. A half of an hour has passed since the two chariot racers leave the wall that protecting Roman. Most of the audience gathered in the front gate watching and waiting for the result of who between the two will reach Florence first. Added to their excitement is their sovereign who eagerly cheering for Nero while watching the giant floating screen that televises the race with them.
As the two are getting closer to the finish line, Boudica looks behind her and stared angrily at Nero who's catching up to her. "You can't beat a rider on a race, Nero!" She said on the emperor behind her chariot. But to her surprise, even though she's losing, there is still that innocent smile on Nero's face. "That is true, but still, this is fun!" Shouted the emperor in delight. "I might end up sad for losing, but I don't mind as long as I prove that I- no, we Romans have changed! And different from what you think we are!" Nero said before gaining speed that made their chariots running side to side.
Boudica stared at her in disbelief before a mocking smile appeared on her face. "Change? That's absurd. Your people will always stay the same!" She said. Holding tightly on the reins, her chariot begun to gain more speed. 'Is she the same emperor you hate?' The words of the king of knight played on her mind. When she looks at Nero, instead of getting hurt, the emperor looks more determined to prove this change. "Why would she work up this hard." Boudica murmured in confusion. 'For me, I find her opulence pleasing. Her history might paint her bad, but once you saw the way she acts, you'll understand what I meant.' Artoria's word played again on her mind.
"Is that why she's working this hard?" The female rider asks herself. "Because she isn't-!" She didn't saw it, she doesn't know what happened, she has no idea why her chariot is in vertical while falling at such speed before she crushes. Hilariously for her, all she's aware of is Nero's voice shouting at her in concern. Luckily she didn't suffer any life-threatening injury and still have conscious, but she felt pain all over her body. "Boudica!" She heard the emperor's voice as she pulled her out from the devastated state her chariot become.
Nero checks the girl's condition and only saw cuts and bruises on her body. "Hey, you hear me? I'll ride you back to Rome and treat your wounds, alright?" She said before carrying the girl's arm. "Yes, forget about this match and return to Rome immediately." The emperor stopped after hearing a voice behind her. Slowly turning around, she saw the female lancer that attacked them near Lundy and looked like the one that causes Boudica to crush. "What are you doing here?" She asks and summoned Aestus Estus on her hand. The immortal witch just smiled and didn't raise any weapon on her. "I'm just here to send you two back in Rome." said the lancer.
Scáthach pointed her finger on the hills. Nero followed where she's pointing and saw the marching force of shadow servants and automatons. "Those are the army that Karl produces. And let me tell you, there are still more coming from all sides of your Mare Aurum. So you might want to hurry." She said before walking away, but the emperor's voice stops her. "I don't know if you're a friend or still a foe, but why are you doing this?" Nero asks.
Scáthach didn't look at her as she answers. "I guess I'm still your foe. But after this one last job, who knows. Anyway, I'm just here to send you two back in Rome." With that said, she leaves the emperor. Nero carried Boudica back to her chariot. "Nero who was that?" She heard Hakuno's voice over the talisman she's carrying. "Praetor! Thank goodness." The emperor called out in relief. Knowing the situation is dire, she immediately informed her master. "Praetor, prepare our defense and get everyone ready. Karl's army is marching in Rome!" She said.
"Understood! Then where-!" Nero heard her master voice went from surprise into disbelief. "What is this? I'm sensing something powerful near you." Hakuno said. Nero about to asks what it was, but felt Boudica tugging her arms. When she got her attention, she pointed her finger above them. Then Nero saw what's her praetor is sensing. From the distance, there's a strong lightning surge that forming into a gigantic ball, below that is a familiar person. "Karna?" She let out in bewilderment.
When Karna opened his eyes, everything is ready to unleash. Aiming his spear on Rome, he looks into it one more time, this familiar city, sadly his going to destroy it. "Indra open your eyes." He chanted the god's name. "This single strike is extinction itself." The surge of lighting charges up and become even stronger. "Forgive me Tamamo, Hakuno, my friends. I hope you'd understand." Holding tightly into the spear, he roared its names. "Burn it all down, Vasavi Shakti…!" He said and unleash his noble phantasm in Rome.
"Praetor! Get out of there!" Nero cried out in panic. "Nero-!" She felt lost when she heard the explosion in the distance. Then the communication went static and the last thing she heard was her praetor calling her name. "No, she isn't…" The emperor whispered under her breath. "No…!" She said, before grabbing the reins of the chariot and drive back to Rome in desperation.
Author note: Sorry if some of the match felt short, it just that writing a fighting scene is hard. Anyway hopefully you all still enjoyed it and excited on what's about to happened next. Anyway that's all for now! i'm gonna keep this note shorter as well.
But before that, do you think Jeanne made a genuine promise or used a command seal for it to happen? Let me hear your thoughts about it!
Also! yay I've reach 200 followers, thank you all so very much! I'm going to do my best to complete this story! With that happy holidays and see you all next time!