I wonder if this is right.
"Fergus, this is the first time I've been on a drive with you."
"I do it every day...?"
"Ah, right. That's enviable...?"
Artoria and Nero are in my chariot, on either side of me. The two of them are engaged in a war of nerves with me in the middle. What exactly is the problem...?
"You two, could you please refrain from this war of nerves...?"
"... Understood."
"Hmm..."
Really, what's the issue with these red dragons...? Is it me? Don't tell me, Nero too... It might seem like overconfidence, but that might be it...
This is why dragons are no good. Dragons are inherently greedy, so their desires are strong. Both are probably like that... It's not easy.
"Your Majesty, I see troops ahead."
Percival, leading the vanguard, reports, and Artoria's eyes take on a dignified look as a king.
"The Emperor Alliance Army?"
"No... They are──"
Thud...!
Before Percival can finish speaking, a giant rock fired from a catapult falls. Percival thrusts his spear and shatters the rock, and a shout from the servant leading the army in the distance is heard.
"Nero───!!!!"
"... Boudica, is it."
So, Spartacus has fallen... Does that mean Boudica's hatred has overcome the wall that was Spartacus? Nero looks at Boudica with guilt-filled eyes, bowing her head and tightly embracing a golden cup.
"There are more troops around us!"
At Agravain's words, looking to the side, I see the forces of the Emperor Alliance Army. That's... Augustus? The first emperor, recovered and chasing after all. Not just the Emperor Alliance, but regular Roman troops are also there. Combined, they must number around 100,000.
100,000 troops aren't just any household name... Well, even in China, armies of a million come, so it would be strange if numbers like this didn't appear in Europe. Actually, it's on the low side... If it were really a million, I'd have to slaughter a million people...
Artoria takes command, arranging the ranks of the Holy Knights. Meanwhile, light falls from the sky.
Crash boom bang...!!!
Destroying the Holy Knights and descending to the ground, she...
... was the Great King of Destruction.
"Civilization... will be destroyed."
Altera, the white giant's avatar. The vanguard of Velber who invaded 14,000 years ago to destroy all civilization on Earth, originally the Ultimate One of another star. She's here. Thanks to the Roman terrain, I can sense combat power beyond a Great Hero, at least a low-rank Divine Spirit level... or higher.
She holds the Sword of Mars and glares this way. The target of destruction is Nero.
"She alone is enough. Everyone, handle the armies."
I get off the chariot and stand before her. She immediately swings her sword at me, and I draw Caladbolg to block it.
"For you, I'll use this... a demonic sword made from a god who died at the hands of your original self."
"That is..."
Clang!!!
Knocking the sword aside, she readjusts her grip and faces off against me. She too, though her arms look like a delicate girl's... are filled with steel muscles like mine. Truly a natural body, a body like steel.
"Is that so... Show them the power of the Round Table."
""Yes!""
The knights of the Round Table move, and along with the Holy Knights, they clash with the allied forces. Really, is the number just 100,000? For a great empire, European forces, it's too few... 100,000 is by no means a small number. But, for European forces, it's few. That bothers me.
Artoria gets off the chariot and immediately whistles for her white horse, Dun Stallion, which gallops across dimensions, and she mounts it. Then, the charging chariot and Dun Stallion collide, neither giving an inch.
Clang!!!!!!
"You... what are you thinking! And you're the King of Britain!?"
"I am not the King of Britain now. Just a knight who loves one man. I uphold my chivalry."
"Chivalry can go to hell... In our time, there was no such thing! We just fought desperately to kill the enemy! Why chase after such hollow honor!?"
The Sword of Promised Victory and the Unpromised Victory Sword clash. The swords engraved with their spirit words collide and bounce off each other.
"You're strong, Boudica. Is it due to the Roman trait? Or because I, who protects a former Roman emperor, am also judged as Roman?"
"Shut up! A junior with not a speck of respect for ancestors!"
Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang!!!!
The power of a Great Hero level is understandable, but... that's almost Altera-level.
Avenger...
She's generating explosive power by temporarily consuming her spiritual energy and spiritual core. All attack, no defense whatsoever. Has she shifted all her endurance parameters to strength and agility...? That shouldn't be possible normally, but she's pouring all her resources, including spiritual energy and core, into power. It's a temporary phenomenon.
Essentially, that's self-destruction, but is Nero that hateful... Of course.
"We lost our families to that wench, we lost precious people! We Britons have lived oppressed by Rome for a long time! I had to watch as my daughters were raped and killed by her soldiers right before my eyes!!! You're the same, you were oppressed by Rome too! So why are you stopping me!!!"
"I think your anger, hatred, and desire for revenge are justified. It's just that right now, your actions are evil."
"What, what's wrong...!!!!!"
Crash boom boom boom boom!!!
{Sword of Boudica} (Unpromised Victory Sword). With True Name Release, her sword engraved with spirit words pours out golden magical bullets. An anti-personnel Noble Phantasm, but with B-rank down destructive power, it could easily erase a heroic spirit.
Of course... it won't work on her.
Crash boom bang!!!
A strike from the holy spear completely erases Boudica's Noble Phantasm, and a mark from the holy spear grazing Boudica's arm is seen as she quickly dodges. The light from the holy spear flies to the army behind, causing a massive explosion.
Well... this side is practically over too.
Crack!!!
"Gah...! Ugh..."
"I'm a swordsman, but I don't just use swords."
Altera staggers after taking my full-powered punch to the solar plexus. To fight me evenly, a top god-class would need to come. She's certainly strong. Among ordinary heroic spirit classes.
"Not yet...!!!"
Clash clash clash clash!!!!
The rotating sword of the war god and the spiral sword collide, creating intense sparks. Rainbow-colored sparks occur, and a storm of magical energy erupts. Literally, a whirlwind swirls around us.
"Ha... Ha..."
"Boudica. I'm not denying your anger. It's just that your actions lead to the destruction of the world. Queen of Britain, worthy of respect, you must not become such a villain."
"Shut up... shut up... I have to let that wench who took everything from me live...? I lost everything and died...? My, family..."
"I can't... accept that!!!!!!"
Boudica charges, swinging her sword without knowing surrender. Artoria looks at her with pitying eyes and cuts through her chest with the holy sword.
Slash!!!
"...."
Cut along with her spiritual core, she staggers and kneels.
"Again... again, it doesn't reach... my sword..."
"Proud Queen of Victory. We Britons remember you forever, proud and respectful. So... please rest in peace."
"... Prasutagus, I'm sorry... I failed again... I just... hated Rome for making your efforts meaningless... I just wanted revenge on those who ravaged my daughters and people... Sorry, everyone..."
With a bitter smile, Boudica turns to black ash and disappears. Like Diarmuid's end, perhaps.
Her desire for revenge is justified. I think she's right. But... it just wasn't the time now.
Tap... tap...
Nero gets off the chariot and walks. She stands before Boudica's ashes.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Boudica. For giving you, an unforgettable wound, I'm sorry... My past mistakes can never be forgiven... I'm sorry. The foolish mistakes of my past... I will bear that sin forever..."
That apology won't reach, and even if it does, she will never accept it. That hatred can never be resolved.
"Well... it's over for now."
Rumble rumble boom....
I neutralize Altera's Noble Phantasm falling from the sky, and Altera retreats in the meantime. I threw Caladbolg, but Altera neutralizes it again. She's not ordinary. Using her own Noble Phantasm as a shield with a Broken Phantasm to escape.
"Nero."
"Fergus... is it really right for me to live? My uncle wanted me to live, and you want that too... but my sin is too great."
I stroke her head, smiling, and say.
"That's enough. If you're aware of your sins, and grieve and feel guilt because of them... that's good enough for now. You can pay the price later. I'll protect you along the way."
"... You only say such sweet words. Like the whispers of the devil that Christians talk about."
"I admit it. Fergus's words are so reassuring, they make you want to rely on him."
"You too... Well, the battle isn't over yet. The enemy reinforcements have arrived."
Along with additional troops, Darius III has come. If we end this here, going straight to the Emperor Alliance Army, there won't be many enemies left.
"Now, let's go."
Gawain's solar sword rises, and it's clear the war is heading to its climax. Let's finish it quickly.
Throb...!
"...."
"What's wrong? Nero."
"No... my chest feels a bit tight and painful... Must be indigestion?"
"Oh my, using this rune should help."
"... Hmm, I think I'm better."
Something... feels a bit uneasy...?