The First Of Many

Romulus' Magical Energy increased like he was about to release his Noble Phantasm, but instead, he charged against the group. This time, however, his speed was many times greater than the previous time he did so.

Same as before, Jeanne and Mash went to meet the incoming enemy. Contrary to their expectations, the result was different this time.

Lancer swung his spear in quick succession and sent Ruler and Shielder flying without resistance. Jalter appeared in front of him immediately after he did so. However, she didn't try to fight him head-on. Instead, she chose to use hit and run tactics.

It was difficult to keep using the same strategy, especially considering Romulus was equally or even faster than her. Luckily, she had cover fire from Caster whenever Lancer found an opening between her attacks.

'Caster, do you see possible the usage of your Noble Phantasm?' Amid his continuous barrage on Romulus, Cu Chulainn heard his Master's voice through their link.

'I don't know. We haven't seen the full extent of that guy's abilities yet. Plus, he showed us he could control plants. Him having countermeasures against my Noble Phantasm is possible.' Although he split his concentration to respond to Fujimaru, he kept helping Jalter as much as he could.

Soon enough, Nero joined Avenger. She attacked with extreme carefulness, though. The Emperor was aware of the fact that one hit of the Great Founder could hurt her badly.

'I think our best option would be to catch him off guard and trap him in your Wooden Giant before Avenger uses her own Noble Phantasm to finish him off.' Fujimaru continued his talk with Cu Chulainn. He, as always, observed the battle from a relatively safe distance.

'It's not as easy as you think, y'know? We would have to surprise him by wounding him or after he had used his full power. Although I don't know if we would be alive after that.' The Sage of the Forest didn't have many positive thoughts about the outcome of this fight.

The Japanese youth released a sigh. This thing about being a Master was not easy at all. He wondered if the enemies they were going to face would be equally powerful. Who was he kidding? They, for sure, would be more powerful.

'Just be alert, don't hesitate to take all the Magical Energy you need if you see the opportunity to corner that man.' After saying this, he returned his full concentration on the battle.

His only Servants here were Cu Chulainn and Mash, and the Celtic Hero was fighting from a distance, so he needed to be ready to use his Mystic Code in case Shielder got wounded.

Returning to the fight, Nero and Jalter continued fighting Romulus, but the man in question was getting used to their little tricks.

Lancer did a strange maneuver, making it as if he was going to attack Nero with his spear, but he used his fist to hit Jalter's chest armor instead.

The Black Saint, being hit by Romulus, was thrown back at incredible speeds. Fortunately for her, Jeanne caught her before she could travel any further. Of course, giving the force of the impact, she was pushed back a little, leaving a deep trail on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Once they stopped their movement stopped, Jeanne asked her counterpart.

'Oh yes, totally fine, he walloped me like a damn truck in my chest, nothing much.' ... is the sarcastic response she would like to say, but she simply responded with an "I'm fine," this time.

Both girls returned their attention to the battle. Mash had filled the space left by Jalter, although she offered a little defense and zero attacks.

At this point, Romulus was beginning to ignore them and was getting closer to Cu Chulainn. After all, he was the only one that could safely attack him.

Caster also understood this, so every time Lancer got closer, he would jump back while continuously assaulting him with his Runes.

Without delay, the two girls joined the fight again to lessen the burden Nero and Mash were having. With three Servant in the mix, now things improved again.

As always, Mash concentrated on defending, Jalter and Nero focused on attacking, and Jeanne did both but supported more.

This limited Cu Chulainn's help, however, as he had to be extra careful not to hit his allies, considering they were near Romulus all the time.

The man in question had been silent since a while ago, only focusing on attacking. In fact, he was only doing that, like he had entered some sort of frenzy. He even 'attacked the attacks' he received from Caster, instead of blocking them. It was as if there was no other thing in his mind apart from attacking.

This strange situation allowed them to wound Romulus, but also made him hit harder than before. Bruises were becoming a common thing in their bodies. Not even Mash was safe since Lancer always found a way to bypass her shield sooner or later.

Nero, who had been silent all this time, only focusing on defeating her predecessor, also noticed the abnormal behavior. However, she didn't have the luxury to think about it, one false step, and she would be gravely injured, if not dead.

...

They kept battling for a long time, so much that the young Emperor was starting to feel tired. However, she continued to push on, no matter what.

As if in a cue, everyone separated, gaining a considerable distance. As Nero was just a human, she got pulled back by Jeanne.

All of a sudden, every Servant felt a weird sensation course throughout their bodies. Although, if one needed to choose the most 'affected' by this, then it would be Ruler.

They momentarily turned their heads to the distant capital, more concretely, above it. There, a light illuminated the otherwise dark sky.

Unknowingly to Jeanne, tears were streaming down her face like she was witnessing a miracle. She took this as some sort of revelation, one on how they could beat their enemy.

Quickly wiping the tears from her eyes, Jeanne looked at her counterpart. "I have a plan, would you hear me out?" She spoke in a barely audible voice, so only Avenger could hear.

Jalter saw the red in her eyes and wondered what had happened in the short time she was looking at the light. However, she decided not to think about it and slowly nodded, motioning her to continue.

Jeanne then proceeded to tell Avenger her plan, when she finished, the Black Saint was looking at her strangely before grinning as if she was pleased. "If that's what you want, who am I to deny it?"

She couldn't help but wryly smile, seeing her companion being so ready to execute the plan. "Let's hurry. I don't know what his Noble Phantasm is, but we can't let him use it."

With her eyes filled with conviction, she turned to Caster. Said Servant, who felt someone was looking at him, turned to look at her.

The Saint moved her lips, forming words, but she preferred not to speak, so the others didn't know about what she was about to do, knowing full well they would be against it.

Cu Chulainn widened his eyes in surprise the moment he understood what she was trying to convey to him, before merely giving a sigh and nodding to signal she could count on him.

Not wasting any time, both Saints darted at Romulus, who at this point had stopped looking at the light in the sky. Mash was surprised by their sudden action but followed them nonetheless. Nero, who managed to rest if only a little, also did the same.

The light seemed to have calmed Lancer's frenzy down as he smiled at the incoming Servants and Emperor. "Show Rome your will, your spirit!" He didn't wait for them to come to him, deciding to charge at them instead.

The moment they clashed, an explosion of immeasurable proportions happened in the distant capital. However, no one paid any attention to it. Romulus knew for sure it was Seth battling Lev, while the others assumed it was him fighting against whatever he said he would.

Like that, they resumed their previous battle. The only difference was Caster, not attacking. Instead, he was preparing to use his Noble Phantasm.

After exchanging hundreds of blows, Romulus received an attack courtesy from Cu Chulainn. Taking this as the signal, Jeanne and Jalter made eye contact before nodding.

When Lancer swung his spear, intending to hit the Saint. However, contrary to his expectations, she didn't try to dodge, opting to let herself be hit by it.

Jeanne quickly grabbed his spear, to avoid the outcome of shooting like a rocket to the skies. Even so, blood flowed from her mouth, showing the blow she received was no laughing matter.

Romulus' surprise didn't end there. Jalter pierced Jeanne's stomach with her flag. Her weapon continued its way until piercing Lancer's own.

Mash and Fujimaru were horrified by this sight. However, Nero, who only saw the Great Founder being distracted, stabbed her sword in his waist. The destructive nature of her flames, coupled with the wildness of the winds created havoc inside his body.

Despite that, Avenger and Caster knew it wouldn't be enough to take Romulus down.

Jalter took her hands off her flag and grabbed Mash and Nero before throwing them out of the way, with her retreating soon after.

« "Burn them completely, Giant of all trees."

Immediately, a circle of fire surrounded the Divine Ancestor and the Saint. From it, a wooden hand emerged and grabbed them both in its deadly grip.

『Wicker Man!』.»

The rest of the body quickly followed, throwing the two in the cage he had for a stomach. Without delay, the Wooden Giant began to burn.

'Quite ironic of me, to die again by burning...' Jeanne thought as the flames were engulfing her. 'I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help, Master.'

Different from Romulus, who was resisting, she chose to die willingly with a smile on her face.

'Rome admires your bravery, little girl.' Lancer was undoubtedly in awe for her decision to sacrifice herself so they could hurt him.

Only when she returned to the Throne of Heroes did Romulus use his spear to try and break free from the Wicker Man.

However, Avenger wouldn't waste such an opportunity. Skipping her chant and going directly to her Noble Phantasm's True Name, she poured every bit of Magical Energy she could on it.

『La Grondement Du Haine!』

Pointing her black sword at the Wooden Giant, a dragon's breath-like attack shot toward it. When it hit, enormous stakes rose from the ground and pierced its stomach, and in consequence, Romulus.

An attack that dealt more damage the more allies died. It was unquestionably the ideal time to use it, considering Jeanne had just perished.

The impaling and burning lasted for a good couple of seconds. When it finished, Romulus fell to the ground but managed to land on his feet.

'You are joking, even with all that he is still not dead?!' Cu Chulainn couldn't believe what he was seeing. They hit him with two Noble Phantasms in a row, you know!

"Nero, come here." The bloody and badly burned Romulus motioned the Emperor to come, which she did.

"Wait, Nero. It's dangerous!" Mash momentarily lost her stupor and shouted for the blonde-haired girl to stop, but was ignored.

When she was in front of him, Lancer removed Aestus Estus that was still stabbing him and gave it to her. She took her sword back, without removing her eyes from Romulus' own.

"You did an excellent job. Working together to beat a stronger enemy, that in itself is glorious." He soon began to fade in particles of light, with her listening attentively to his words.

Patting her head with the warmness of a father, he left his last words before disappearing. "Rome is proud of you. What I built with my own hands...I entrust it to you."

Emotions overcame the young Emperor, who started crying while hugging herself. "Yes, I will not let you down!"