"This is Jackie, and this is Nursery, right? Mash, Ritsuka, Olga Marie, Jeanne… Wow, bold designs?"
"Lady Medea, you're so skilled…"
"Of course. I'll design casual outfits for all of Chaldea eventually!"
"Haha…"
Here we go!
"RAAAAA!!"
"GUUUU!!"
Nero parried blows and kicks with deft swordplay, pushing back Caligula.
"Nero, offer yourself! Mine, mine, MINE!!" Caligula roared.
"Uncle…!!"
The emperors clashed, blades locked, strength matched. But spirit tipped the scales—Caligula's ferocity against Nero's faint hesitation.
That sliver of doubt became Nero's vulnerability!
"GUAAA!!"
Caligula yanked her sword, landing a brutal tackle.
"Guh…!!" Nero staggered, exposed—a fatal opening!
"Nero! My beloved!!"
"No—!!"
Caligula's arm rose like a hammer. Nero gritted her teeth—Is this it?!
But as if Rome's divine ancestors intervened—
"YAAAA!!"
"NUGUU—!!"
Mash's shield blocked the crimson rose's fall!
"Mash—!"
"Together!"
"Umu!!"
"GUAAA… AAAAA!!"
Mash braced against Caligula's overwhelming force, teeth clenched, stance rooted like the earth itself.
"HAAA!!"
She recalled Leonidas' words:
"Listen, Mash. Don't try to stop force with force."
"Yes…!"
"A single body can only withstand so much. Use it to prepare, not resist."
"Prepare…?"
"Yes. Align your breath, posture, heart, and resolve. Face the enemy with spirit!"
"Trust your shield, yourself, and what you protect. Then, your defense will be unbreakable!"
"Suuu—!" Mash steadied her stance, shield raised.
"GUAAA!!"
"HAAA!!"
She blocked, deflected, protected!
"NUGUUU!!"
Caligula raged, but her defense was ironclad, drawing strength from the earth.
"Now!!"
Mash kicked off, slamming her shield upward!
"NUGUAA!!"
"It worked—Leonidas!!"
"Well countered! I'll follow!" Nero rallied, charging.
Using Mash's back as a springboard—
"Take this!!"
Nero slashed Caligula in one swift strike!
"GIIII!!"
"Nice one, Mash! Majesty!" Ritsuka cheered.
"Well done, Mash. You're a sponge, absorbing lessons instantly," Leonidas praised.
Mash was growing, drawing on heroic strength like her Master.
She's… incredible. So fragile, yet shielding us all.
"Good teaching, Leonidas. Your defensive prowess is unmatched," Gilgamesh noted.
"Haha, it's how I lived!"
"Perhaps even I'll rely on your guard someday," Gilgamesh muttered.
"I'll wield my shield for you!!"
"Too close, musclehead!"
"Haha, just checking on my student!"
"Now, Master, show me the skill that needs no aid!" Gilgamesh challenged.
"Got a plan?!"
"All or nothing—come!" Ritsuka raised her hand.
"'Amadeus'!"
Amadeus?!
"Oh…?" Gilgamesh smirked.
Light flared, summoning the legendary musician.
"Me, now? Master, got muscles in your head?!" Amadeus quipped.
"I've got a plan! Look—he's a Berserker!" Ritsuka pointed at Caligula, battling Mash and Nero.
"'Play any music you want'!"
"—I see! Clever!" Amadeus grinned.
"What's that mean?" Nero blinked.
"Without reason, he can't resist!" Gilgamesh explained.
No defense against their strategy!
"Play, Amadeus! Something… uplifting!!"
Ritsuka clenched her fist.
"As requested… Two emperors, huh?" Amadeus raised his baton. "A 'Bright, Overly Energetic Roman March'!"
The sublime music swelled, igniting vigor and vitality!
"Oh, oh! This—!" Nero exclaimed.
"Power's surging…!" Mash felt it.
"—Berserkers lack the wit to counter buffs. Alone, we can empower ourselves freely," Gilgamesh observed.
I never considered it—using a hero who doesn't wound but uplifts. This is the Master's tactical vision!
"Stronger here, softer there… Fight hard, you two! I've only got music!" Amadeus urged.
"Umu! Uncle—huh?"
"Yes! …Wait?"
They noticed Caligula's agony.
"NUU, A…A! Rome! Nero! AAAAA!!"
He clutched his ears, Spirit Origin straining, writhing in torment.
"What's happening?! Caligula's suffering!"
"Hm? This wasn't your aim?" Gilgamesh asked.
"Huh? I just wanted to boost them…" Ritsuka admitted.
"You've a knack for this. Stirring a Berserker's fragmented consciousness with such music—what delightful irony," Gilgamesh said, sipping wine.
He's suffering. Caligula truly is.
Without reason, there'd be no pain. If fully mad, no hesitation.
So, Caligula… still held a spark of sanity.
"—Why… can't I offer? Why… can't I be offered?"
Words spilled from Caligula.
"Nero… my beloved… my, my, my, my…"
He faded, translucent, then vanished.
"Spirit form. We've driven him off," Gilgamesh noted.
"Leaving mid-performance? Rude! I hate crazy Berserkers!" Amadeus scoffed.
"Was the music that good?" Bride Nero sounded unimpressed.
"I get it. She's like Elisabeth—defiling art!" Amadeus accused.
"Too bright for my wine. Stock sultry tunes next," Gilgamesh teased.
"That'd get vulgar… Later. Don't call me back soon!" Amadeus vanished.
"See ya, Amadeus!"
I can't slack off either.
"Splendid, Master! Outsmarting, not overpowering—excellent! Mash deserves praise too—great progress!" Gilgamesh lauded.
"—Really? Thought you'd call it reckless!" Ritsuka grinned.
"If it pleases me, it's fine! Now, to triumph! Emperor, lead us! I'll revel in Rome!"
"Don't take charge! —Mash, Ritsuka, praise and use me!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Thanks!"
"Onward! My Rome awaits!" Nero declared.
Maybe I'll try music next.
"Oils, skincare—girls gotta care, right? Little touches snag a great guy! So, I'll supervise your makeup and nails!" Suzuka chirped.
"Oh! More sparkle? A great guy? Sounds divine! Please, Suzuka-sama! Can I shine like Gorgeous-sama?" Marie beamed.
"Nah, he's more… nouveau riche. Tacky taste…" Suzuka muttered.
"Sorry, I finished your errand," Emiya returned.
"My Queen, try this—my favorite perfume."
"Thanks! Let's all shine together!"
"I'll make Chaldea top models!" Suzuka vowed.
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