They soon arrived at Nero's command center—a sprawling, lavishly decorated war room within the palace. Massive marble columns held up a painted ceiling, and a massive map of the Roman Empire was spread across a heavy wooden table in the center. However, the map was covered in dozens of red markers, indicating enemy territory that had encroached terrifyingly close to the capital.
Nero stood at the head of the table, her bombastic energy settling into the heavy, serious demeanor of a ruler fighting a losing war. She placed her hands on the edge of the map, her lime-green eyes darkening with frustration.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Nero offered, though her voice lacked its usual boisterous cheer. "I apologize for the lack of a proper banquet. Our supply lines are completely choked, and the capital is effectively under siege."
"I noticed the map is covered in three different colors of markers," Fujimaru pointed out, dragging a spare chair over and sitting down. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the wood like a manager analyzing a disastrous quarterly report. "Red, Blue, and Green. I assume red is the army we just fought at the gates?"
"Umu," Nero nodded, pointing to the cluster of red markers surrounding the capital. "That is the United Roman Empire. It began weeks ago. A dark mist rolled across the provinces, and with it came armies that should not exist. My uncle, Caligula. The great founders and dictators of the past. They have returned from the grave, formed an alliance, and declared my reign illegitimate. They intend to depose me and build a 'true' empire."
"A massive temporal anomaly," Dr. Roman's voice chimed in over the comms. "Multiple past Emperors summoned as Servants to overthrow the current era. That alone is enough to shatter the foundation of human history."
"But they are not the only threat," Nero continued, her expression growing even more severe. She dragged her finger across the map to the massive wave of black markers creeping in from the northern and eastern borders, swallowing everything in their path.
"This... is the Anti-Roman Empire," Nero explained, her voice dropping to a serious whisper. "They are not former emperors looking to rule. They are a massive coalition of rebels, warlords, and barbarians united under a fearsome, terrifying leader. A king of absolute destruction whose only goal is to wipe the very concept of Rome off the face of the earth."
Vlad III narrowed his golden eyes, studying the terrifying spread of the black markers. "A three-way war for the continent. And judging by the territorial control..."
"It pains my imperial pride to admit it," Nero sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "But in this war of three factions, my Rome is currently the weakest. We barely have enough legions to hold the capital. The United Roman Empire possesses greater numbers and the tactical brilliance of my predecessors. But the Anti-Roman Empire... they are the strongest. Their numbers are endless, and their leader's power is absolute. They are crushing the United Empire's outer territories as we speak."
Fujimaru looked at the map, his practical mind rapidly processing the disastrous political and military landscape. He looked at his assembled vanguard, then back to the blonde Emperor. "Then we accept the offer. We'll get the job done."
"Umu! Excellent!" Nero's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "I pray to the gods that our enemies are swiftly defeated. But before we march, I have prepared a banquet! It is not as lavish as my usual feasts due to the war, but tell me, can you drink?"
Vlad III's golden eyes gleamed with regal interest. "I certainly look forward to tasting the wine of Rome."
Jeanne d'Arc raised a polite hand, her expression slightly apologetic. "Do you have anything non-alcoholic? My faith does not permit me to consume wine."
"Of course! Rome provides for all her guests!" Nero declared, then turned toward the shadows of the room. "Locusta! Prepare the banquet now!"
From the corner of the room, a distinctly unsettling figure stepped forward. She wore a heavy, vibrant purple cloak that completely enveloped her body, adorned with gold trim and tassels. A hood was pulled over her head, decorated with two tufts of white feathers resembling small wings. A thick magenta veil covered the upper half of her face, obscuring her eyes entirely. However, beneath the veil, a wide, mischievous smile full of sharp, jagged teeth was clearly visible.
Name: Locusta
Class: Assassin
Attribute: Human
Gender: Female
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Class Skills:
Presence Concealment (B Rank): Hides one's presence as a Servant. Suitable for spying. It is possible to disappear and become extremely difficult to be detected. The rank of Presence Concealment drops considerably when preparing to attack.
Mental Pollution (Poison) (D Rank): The ability to resist a multitude of mind-altering effects of mental interference thaumaturgy produced through consuming specific concoctions and poisons. Due to having personally created the poison that gave Nero headaches, Locusta naturally knows best which poisons affect specifically the brain, and as such is able to resist such effects.
Personal Skills:
Poison Compounding (A+ Rank): The ability to concoct poisons infused with magical energy. Poisons created with this skill cannot be detoxified without the intervention of Mystics. This skill works similarly to Item Construction.
Toughness (Poison) (A Rank): The physical aptitude that allows for not just resisting and shrugging off the effects of poisons, but outright drawing strength and healing through consuming them. As the supreme poisoner of the Roman Empire during Nero's time as Emperor, Locusta has a wide knowledge of the inner workings of multiple poisons, and as a Servant, this translated into forming this Personal Skill using that knowledge as a blueprint.
Cuisine (Mushroom) (B Rank): A technique of cooking ingredients to make delicious dishes. Locusta especially excels at the preparation of mushroom dishes. This skill is derived from her legend of sprinkling poison on a dish, making this one of the ways Locusta applies her poisons.
Stats:
Strength A+ | Endurance B+ | Agility B+ | Mana D+ | Luck D+ | NP C+
Noble Phantasm:
Finis, Fungus: Mushrooms, Be They a Sacred Food Offering (Anti-Army C+)
Forcing a simmered mushroom stew down the target's throat. More precisely, throwing the liquid at them. Needless to say, the stew is toxic. It has no insta-death effect. Locusta never kills instantly because she can't use irreversible poisons without Nero's command.
Finis Venenum Nero: Farewell, My Beloved Emperor (Suicide EX)
The most refined poison, which she produced only once in her life, poured her whole soul into, and stored in a small golden box. It grants the target a peaceful slumber, quietly extinguishing the fire of their life.
"As you will, Your Majesty," Locusta replied, her voice smooth but carrying a faint, dangerous edge. The Rome Poison Master offered a deep bow and silently glided out of the room.
A short time later, the Chaldea vanguard was led into a beautiful dining hall made of pristine white marble. Massive, immaculate pillars supported the high ceiling. At the center sat a long wooden table laden with fresh bread, roasted meats, vibrant fruits, and several pitchers of wine and water.
As they took their seats and began to eat, Nero stood at the head of the table to brief them.
"Once again, I thank you for your aid. Allow me to share the latest intelligence," Nero began, taking a sip from her goblet. "The only reason we have survived this long is because my subordinates are exceptionally capable, and our enemies have continuously underestimated us. On our side, we have the Poison Master Locusta, the Defender Constantine XI, and the Holy Spear Lucius Longinus."
Fujimaru's hand froze mid-air, a piece of bread halfway to his mouth.
'LONGINUS?!'
An intense spike of adrenaline hit his system. In his past life as Natan in YGGDRASIL, 'Longinus' wasn't a person. It was one of The Twenty—an absolutely lethal World Item capable of completely deleting a target from existence, at the cost of deleting the user as well.
Fujimaru closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, his practical mind immediately grounding his panic. He reached deep within himself, connecting to his Noble Phantasm—a Reality Marble that served as the physical manifestation of The Great Tomb of Nazarick. As the absolute ruler of that domain, he could feel everything inside it. He quickly scanned the deepest levels of the Treasury.
He felt the immense, terrifying aura of the World Item resting safely on its pedestal. Longinus was still there.
Fujimaru let out a slow, quiet breath and took a bite of his bread. Right. Here, Longinus is just the Heroic Spirit who wielded the spear. Nothing to worry about.
"For the United Roman Empire," Nero continued, completely unaware of her Master's internal panic, "we have confirmed the presence of the Divine Ancestor Romulus, the First Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar, the Third Emperor Caligula, and the Sleeping Dragon Zhuge Liang."
Fujimaru's brow furrowed. Zhuge Liang? The greatest strategist of China? That makes things complicated.
"As for the Anti-Roman Empire," Nero added, her tone darkening, "we have confirmed the Great King of Destruction Altera, the Queen of Victory Boudica, and the Incarnation of Rebellion Spartacus."
Altera. The King of Combat, the Scourge of God, Fujimaru thought, taking a sip of his water. A Mongolian conqueror and the greatest Chinese strategist. They are both incredibly deadly. It's a good thing they aren't fighting on the same side.
"All of this information was gathered by Lucius Longinus while he was scouting the massive war in the northern territories between the Anti-Roman Empire and the United Roman Empire," Nero finished her explanation.
"A severe imbalance of both quality and quantity," Fujimaru replied, setting his cup down.
"Correct. That is why I have devised a plan," Nero stated, her lime-green eyes burning with determination. "Tomorrow, we will lay siege to the city of Gaul. We need your strength to break their lines. Lucius is already stationed there, waiting for us."
Fujimaru nodded, looking around the table at his rested, well-fed vanguard. "We'll follow your plan, Emperor."
"Umu! It is decided!" Nero announced brightly, raising her goblet. "The siege of Gaul commences tomorrow! Eat well, and rest up tonight, my magnificent generals!"
The banquet concluded with high spirits, though the heavy reality of the three-way war loomed over them. Nero had provided Chaldea's vanguard with the finest guest quarters the palace could offer—a sprawling suite of marble rooms decorated with silk drapes and golden braziers.
Sitting on the edge of a plush, oversized bed, Fujimaru tapped his communication bracer. The holographic projection of Dr. Roman flickered into view, the doctor looking exhausted as he reviewed the data they had just uploaded.
"Zhuge Liang and Altera in the same era," Roman rubbed his temples, letting out a heavy sigh. "This is a tactical nightmare, Ritsuka. Zhuge Liang is peerless when it comes to formation warfare and defensive strategy. And Altera... the Scourge of God. Her Saint Graph output is terrifying. If those two ever coordinate, or if Altera breaks through to the capital, the Singularity will collapse instantly."
"We'll take it one step at a time, Doc," Fujimaru replied, his voice calm and practical. "Tomorrow we secure Gaul and link up with Longinus. We establish a foothold, build momentum, and cut down their numbers."
"Right. Get some rest. You're going to need it," Roman said before cutting the feed.
Fujimaru stood up to stretch, fully intending to get a full eight hours of sleep. However, before he could even take off his Chaldea jacket, a soft, rhythmic knock echoed from his chamber door.
"Come in," Fujimaru said.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, and the unsettling figure of Locusta glided into the room. The Poison Master's heavy purple cloak trailed silently across the marble floor. The white feathers on her hood twitched slightly, and beneath her magenta veil, her wide, jagged-toothed smile sent a primal warning to anyone with survival instincts.
She carried a silver tray holding a single, ornate goblet filled with a dark, bubbling liquid.
"Master of Chaldea," Locusta purred, her voice sweet but laced with a distinctly lethal undertone. "Her Majesty requested that I ensure our esteemed guests sleep soundly. I have prepared a special, fortifying tonic for you. It will ease the burdens of your mind and ensure you do not wake until morning... or perhaps, ever, if your constitution is weak."
Before Fujimaru could even politely decline, the air in the room suddenly dropped ten degrees.
A heavy, cross-shaped shield materialized with a loud clang right between Fujimaru and the Poison Master. Mash stepped out from the shadows of the adjacent room, her lavender eyes narrowed in absolute, uncompromising suspicion.
"I have already scanned the liquid, Locusta-san," Mash stated, her voice entirely devoid of its usual warmth. "That 'tonic' contains lethal doses of belladonna, hemlock, and several unknown magical toxins. A single drop would cause complete organ failure."
Locusta didn't look offended. In fact, her jagged smile only grew wider, looking entirely amused by the Demi-Servant's fierce protectiveness. "Oh, my. How diligent. But poison is simply medicine given in the wrong dosage, little shield. A strong sovereign must build their immunity."
"I'll pass," Fujimaru intervened smoothly, gently placing a hand on Mash's shoulder to calm her down. He looked at Locusta with a completely unbothered, practical expression. "I appreciate the hospitality, Locusta, but my schedule tomorrow is packed. I can't afford to call in sick with organ failure. Tell Nero I said thank you, though."
Locusta let out a soft, echoing giggle that sent a shiver down Mash's spine. "A cautious and polite general. Very well. I shall leave the tonic on the table... just in case you change your mind."
With a graceful, sweeping bow, the Poison Master left the room, the heavy door clicking shut behind her.
Mash immediately took the goblet and poured it into a nearby potted plant. The plant withered and turned black in less than three seconds.
With a graceful, sweeping bow, the Poison Master left the room, the heavy door clicking shut behind her.
Mash immediately took the goblet and poured it into a nearby potted plant. The plant withered, its leaves curling and turning black in less than three seconds.
With a graceful, sweeping bow, the Poison Master left the room, the heavy door clicking shut behind her.
Mash immediately took the goblet and poured it into a nearby potted plant. The plant withered, its leaves curling and turning black in less than three seconds.
"Senpai," Mash said, turning to him with absolute seriousness. "I am sleeping in the chair by the door tonight."
"Absolutely not," Fujimaru replied immediately. He gestured to the center of the room. "We were given an imperial guest suite. Look at that bed. You could fit half a Roman cohort on that mattress. We're both using it."
Mash blinked, her lavender eyes widening in protest as she looked at the massive, silk-draped bed. "But Senpai! I am a Demi-Servant! It is my duty to guard the entrance in case that... that assassin returns!"
Fujimaru sighed, running a hand through his hair. He didn't look at her as a tactical asset or a magical shield. Through the lens of his practical, older mentality, he simply saw a young teenage girl who had been thrust into a brutal war.
"Mash, listen to me," Fujimaru said gently, but with a firm, unshakeable stubbornness. "I don't care about your Demi-Servant endurance. You are, what, sixteen? You're still in your growth phase."
Mash blinked, completely thrown off by the sudden shift in topic. "I... yes, but my physical parameters—"
"Mean nothing when it comes to my morals," Fujimaru interrupted smoothly. He placed his hands on her shoulders, looking her dead in the eye. "I am an adult, at least in my mind. There is absolutely no way I am going to let a young girl sleep curled up in a stiff wooden chair while I take a luxury imperial mattress. To me, you aren't just a soldier or a shield. You're a kid. Someone I need to protect, like a younger sister... or even a daughter."
Mash's face flushed a brilliant, explosive shade of crimson. Her brain completely short-circuited at the overwhelming, familial affection and his absolute refusal to treat her like a disposable weapon.
"D-D-Daughter?!" Mash stammered, steam practically puffing out of her ears. "S-Senpai, the age gap between us is not nearly large enough for you to adopt me!"
"My true body and soul old enough to become your parent," Fujimaru chuckled warmly. "Now, go get some sleep. I'm the Master, and my protocol is final."
Defeated, but deeply touched, Mash carefully unequipped her armor. She climbed into the massive, plush imperial bed, sinking into the incredibly soft center. Fujimaru kept his word, taking the absolute furthest corner of the mattress near the door, sleeping above the covers in his standard Chaldea uniform.
The room fell quiet. The heavy exhaustion of the day quickly pulled Mash into a deep, peaceful sleep.
However, the night was not entirely uninterrupted.
A few hours past midnight, the heavy wooden door to their suite didn't creak, but a faint, magical heat began to bleed under the crack. With a subtle manipulation of her draconic mana, the lock clicked open silently.
A figure in a teal kimono slipped into the room, moving with the absolute, terrifying silence of a predatory serpent.
Kiyohime had arrived.
Ever since the desperate battles in the Orleans Singularity, their Master-Servant contract had deepened into something entirely absolute for the Berserker. Her Spirit Origin was entirely tethered to Fujimaru. To her, he was her beloved Anchin, her husband, and her entire world. The thought of sleeping in a separate room from him in a hostile, poison-filled palace was completely unacceptable to her draconic instincts.
Kiyohime glided over to the massive bed. She noticed the shield-girl sleeping soundly in the middle, and her golden eyes narrowed slightly. But her attention quickly shifted to the boy sleeping on the far edge.
With a soft, happy sigh, Kiyohime slipped onto the very edge of the bed. She carefully, almost reverently, wrapped her arms around Fujimaru's waist and buried her face into his chest, her body radiating a faint, comforting warmth like a living hearth.
The sudden weight and heat caused Fujimaru to stir. He opened his eyes slightly, met by the glowing golden slits of a dragon in the dark.
"Anchin..." Kiyohime whispered sweetly, squeezing him a little tighter. "I came to keep you warm."
A lesser magus would have screamed, panicked, or immediately commanded her to leave. Fujimaru simply let out a tired, practical sigh. Fighting a deeply attached, fire-breathing Berserker at two in the morning was completely counterproductive to getting a good night's rest. Besides, he knew she wouldn't actually hurt him.
"No setting the bed on fire, Kiyo," Fujimaru murmured sleepily, too tired to argue. He weakly patted her head once. "Go to sleep."
Kiyohime's heart practically soared. "Yes, my beloved," she purred, closing her eyes and happily burying her face back into his jacket.
Surrounded by a protective Demi-Servant and a fiercely devoted dragon, the Master of Chaldea slept soundly through the night.
The Next Morning
The march to Gaul began at the crack of dawn.
Nero rode at the front of the formation in a magnificent golden chariot pulled by two armored white horses, her red dress and blonde hair catching the morning sun. Behind her marched a cohort of her most elite Roman legionaries, and acting as her personal vanguard was the Chaldea team.
Vlad III and Lancelot walked with tireless, superhuman endurance, their heavy armor clanking rhythmically. Jeanne carried her holy flag high, offering a reassuring presence to the nervous Roman soldiers. Kiyohime walked with an extra spring in her step, humming a happy tune, while Mash occasionally shot the Berserker deeply suspicious glares.
By midday, the landscape shifted from rolling hills to a heavily contested warzone. Smoke stained the sky ahead.
They arrived at a fortified Roman encampment situated on a ridge overlooking the city of Gaul. The city itself was massive, surrounded by thick stone walls and a deep moat, currently occupied by the forces of the United Roman Empire.
Standing atop a makeshift wooden podium overlooking the gathered legions, Nero drew her crimson broadsword and pointed it toward the sky.
"I am Emperor Nero Claudius!" Nero projected her voice, her bombastic energy instantly igniting the morale of the tired soldiers. "Listen to me well! I thank you for your unwavering service thus far! In this siege, magnificent generals have joined our ranks! Because of them, there is absolutely no reason for us to face defeat! Victory belongs only to us and to Rome!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the legions, their spears striking their heavy shields in unison.
As Nero stepped down from the podium to join Fujimaru's team, a towering figure approached the Chaldea vanguard.
Name: Lucius Longinus
Class: Lancer
Attribute: Man
Gender: Male
Alignment: Lawful Good
Parameters:
Strength B | Endurance A+ | Agility C | Mana C | Luck D | NP A++
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (A): Cancel spells of A-Rank or below, no matter what High-Thaumaturgy it is. In practice, the Servant is untouchable to modern magi. This exceptionally high rank is due to him being bathed in the blood of the Savior.
Riding (C): Most vehicles and animals can be handled with above-average skill. Denotes his basic training as a Roman Centurion.
Personal Skills:
Miracle of the Holy Blood (EX): A unique skill crystallizing the legend where the Savior's blood dripped onto Longinus's face, curing his failing eyesight and awakening his faith. It grants absolute resistance against visual impairments, mental interference, and curses. Furthermore, it provides a powerful passive regeneration ability (Battle Continuation variant), allowing him to recover from grievous, fatal wounds so long as his spirit core isn't instantly destroyed.
ProtectionoftheFaith (A): A Skill possessed only by those who have sacrificed themselves for a religious view. Despite being born a pagan Roman soldier, his absolute conversion at the cross grants him a massive boost to his physical and defensive parameters during battle.
Centurion'sCommand(B): A localized variation of Charisma and Tactics. It denotes his rank as a veteran Roman commander. It provides a massive defensive and morale boost to any allied troops fighting under his banner, specializing in holding the line against impossible odds.
Noble Phantasm:
Longinus: The Spear of Destiny (Anti-Divine/Anti-Fortress A++)
The legendary holy lance used to pierce the side of the Savior. Because it tasted the blood of the Messiah, it transitioned from a standard Roman spear into one of the holiest artifacts in human history.
When its True Name is invoked, the spear releases a blinding, cross-shaped pillar of pure holy light. It possesses an absolute conceptual advantage against anything with the "Divine" or "Demonic" attribute. It is capable of piercing through virtually any magical barrier, shield, or fortress wall. Additionally, wounds inflicted by the Spear of Destiny are conceptually "fixed" into the target's Saint Graph, making them incredibly difficult to heal with standard magecraft or regeneration skills.
He was a massive, heavily muscled man clad in polished silver armor adorned with striking golden Roman Centurion embellishments. He wore a winged helmet topped with a dark red crest, heavy dark red clothing beneath his armor, and carried a massive, curved Roman tower shield. Though his hair was cut short, a single long braid hung down his back. Most striking of all was the prominent, cross-shaped scar etched deeply into his left cheek.
"Emperor Nero has arrived faster than anticipated," the man noted, his voice deep, stoic, and carrying the heavy weight of a veteran commander. He turned his piercing gaze toward Fujimaru and his Servants, evaluating them with a soldier's eye. "Are you the new generals she spoke of? Thank you for taking the trouble to come here. I have heard much about your deeds at the capital."
He struck his chest with his gauntlet in a heavy, respectful salute.
"I am Lucius Longinus, the one who pierced the Savior," he introduced himself, his presence commanding absolute respect. "I am the general assigned to the Gaul expedition."
Fujimaru looked at the imposing Lancer. Despite his internal knowledge of the terrifying World Item bearing the same name from his past life, the practical Master kept his expression perfectly calm and grounded. He stepped forward, offering a respectful nod in return.
"I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka, from Chaldea. These are my Servants," Fujimaru replied straightforwardly, gesturing to Vlad III, Jeanne, Lancelot, Kiyohime, and d'Eon. "We're here to help you break this siege. What's the current situation on the ground?"
"You bring a heavy arsenal, Master of Chaldea," Longinus said stoically. "We will need it. The gates of Gaul are reinforced with Magecraft, and Caesar's defensive formations are nearly impenetrable. A standard siege will take months."
"We don't have months," Fujimaru replied, stepping up to the edge of the ridge to look down at the heavily fortified city. He analyzed the thick stone walls, the archer towers, and the moat. "We need to breach the city today, capture the supply depots, and neutralize Caesar before the Anti-Roman forces decide to march down here."
He turned back to his team and the Roman commanders, his mind already formulating the logistics of the assault.
"Longinus, Nero. You have the numbers," Fujimaru instructed. "I need your legions to form up and launch a massive, loud diversionary assault on the southern gate. Draw all of Caesar's archers and defenders to that wall."
Nero grinned fiercely, resting her hand on the hilt of her broadsword. "A glorious distraction! And what will you and your elite vanguard do?"
Fujimaru looked at Lancelot, Vlad III, and Kiyohime, his expression turning ruthlessly practical.
"While they're looking south," Fujimaru said, "we're going to break down the northern wall and evict the First Emperor ourselves."
"We commence the attack now," Nero commanded, her voice cutting sharply through the morning wind.
"Understood! Leave it to me!" Lucius Longinus roared, stepping to the very front of the Roman legions. He raised his massive tower shield and readied his spear. "Flying Wedge—Cuneus! All forces, follow my lead! Charge!"
With a deafening battle cry, Lucius led the descent down the hill. He acted as the absolute tip of the spear, crashing forward with terrifying momentum. The Roman cavalry immediately flanked him, followed closely by thousands of heavy infantry forming a massive, devastating 'V' shape designed to pierce straight through enemy lines.
However, the defending forces of the United Roman Empire did not panic. They moved with slow, absolute discipline, locking their shields together into an impenetrable Phalanx formation.
Standing at the very front of this defensive wall was a single man. He was bare-chested, heavily muscled, and wore only bronze greaves, heavy arm guards, and a tattered red cape. A striking Spartan helmet concealed his face, its crest burning with a literal, unextinguishable flame. He wielded a heavy bronze shield in his left hand and a lethal spear in his right.
Up on the ridge, Fujimaru's eyes narrowed. Beneath his calm exterior, his hidden Saint Graph pulsed once again.
Name: Leonidas I
Class: Lancer
Attribute: Man
Gender: Male
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Parameters:
Strength B | Endurance A | Agility D | Mana C | Luck C | NP B
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (C Rank): Cancel spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against magecraft on the level of greater magecraft and Greater Rituals.
Personal Skills:
RearGuard'sPride (A Rank): A unique Skill that displays more power the more disadvantageous the situation (such as defensive battles, military withdrawals, etc.) In combination with his Noble Phantasm, even Anti-Army Noble Phantasms can be defended against.
StruggleofThreeHundred (A+ Rank): A Skill that allows for the continuation of combat after sustaining mortal wounds. It will also reduce mortality rate from injury. Leonidas doesn't know when to give up. Makes it possible to fight even with deadly injuries and can remain alive so long as one does not receive a decisive fatal wound.
Warrior'sWarCry(B Rank): A morale boosting Skill. Similar to the breathing techniques in karate, by way of this warcry, he carries out a moral coordination.
Noble Phantasm:
Thermopylae Enomotia: Guardian of the Hot Gates (Anti-Army B)
Counter-attack Noble Phantasm. Three hundred Spartans are summoned, each possessing C~E Rank Endurance. They protect not only Leonidas but also his Master. As they are summoned as a Noble Phantasm, the 300 people would endure the enemy's attack along with Leonidas and they will amount a strong counterattack afterwards. The more number of people that endured the enemy's attack, the more powerful the counterattack would be on the next turn. As it recreates the historical deed within an instant, it can be activated even after the opponent's attack.
Fujimaru's mind processed the data instantly. King of Sparta. The ultimate defensive anchor. He absorbs kinetic energy and reflects it. If Longinus hits him too hard, the resulting counterattack will wipe out the entire Roman vanguard.
Down on the battlefield, the blazing King of Sparta planted his feet into the earth, watching the massive Roman wedge charge toward him.
"I have been ordered to defend this city, and you have decided to attack!" Leonidas bellowed, his voice echoing like thunder across the valley. "I will crush all who oppose me! THIS IS... SPARTAAA!!"
He slammed the butt of his spear into the ground, unleashing a blinding wave of magical energy.
"Thermopylae Enomotia: Guardian of the Hot Gates (Anti-Army B)"
In a flash of golden light, the legendary three hundred Spartan warriors materialized around him. They didn't just form a wall; they formed an absolute, three-layered fortress of pure defense.
The outermost layer consisted of the 300 Spartans manifesting as massive, transparent, ethereal shields. The middle layer was Leonidas himself, acting as the unbreakable core. And the innermost layer was the United Roman Empire's Phalanx formation, perfectly synchronized with the King of Sparta's unyielding will.
KRA-KOOM!
Lucius Longinus struck the outermost layer with the force of a meteor. The earth violently shattered beneath their feet, kicking up a massive shockwave of dust and debris. But as the dust cleared, the terrifying reality of the Spartan King was revealed.
The Cuneus formation's momentum was completely and utterly halted. Lucius ground his teeth, his muscles bulging as he pushed his shield against the ethereal Spartan wall, but Leonidas didn't budge a single inch.
"Hold the line!" Leonidas roared to his Phalanx, the ethereal shields beginning to glow violently as they absorbed the sheer kinetic force of Lucius's charge. "Let them exhaust themselves against the Hot Gates!"