When Fujimaru and the others were transported to the spectator stands, they not only witnessed Sakatsuki summoning Rome’s three supreme deities but also found themselves surrounded by familiar Servants.
Hercules, the first to fall. Jing Ke. Lü Bu, who fought valiantly in defeat. Boudica, who sacrificed herself to cover their retreat. Tamamo Cat. Elizabeth. Even former adversaries—Caligula and Caesar, Alexander and Darius—had all appeared nearby.
"My king..." Waver’s nose stung as he gazed at the handsome red-haired youth. Though appearing young, the latter adopted a mature demeanour, patting his retainer’s shoulder with an encouraging smile.
Tamamo Cat and Elizabeth chattered away, seemingly arguing about something, but their eyes lit up when they spotted Fujimaru, immediately crowding around him.
Jing Ke, Lü Bu, and Hercules sat together—what exactly two Berserkers and an assassin (who rivaled Berserkers when drunk) were discussing remained a mystery.
The atmosphere between Boudica, Caligula, and Caesar was subtle, yet they couldn’t help but smile when Nero arrived.
"You’ve come, Nero. And you Servants from Chaldea."
"What’s happening?" Fujimaru held his breath, afraid this might be a fragile, dreamlike illusion.
"Worry not, young one." It was Caligula who spoke. Under the gaze of the three supreme deities, he had shaken off the influence of Diana, the Moon Goddess, regaining his clarity. "This is the result of the Grand Saint Graph resonating with the land of Rome. That young man named Sakatsuki possesses remarkable boldness."
"Indeed." Jing Ke happily drank from a spirit-formed wine vessel. "Neither Lord Wu’an nor he could become a Grand Servant. So rather than exerting tenfold effort while clinging to the Grand Saint Graph, he chose to offer it to the world, gaining twelvefold power in return—even if nothing remains afterwards."
With the doctor’s explanation, Fujimaru understood Jing Ke and Caligula’s meaning—had Sakatsuki absorbed the Grand Saint Graph, even if he couldn’t truly become a Grand, he would qualify as a candidate. That status would have endured beyond this battle.
Yet he chose otherwise. By expending the Grand Saint Graph, he gained sufficient corrective force to construct this colosseum, recalling fallen Servants from the Throne of Heroes to sustain its bounded field, eliminating any chance for the Beast to escape.
"So this is the masterpiece completed by emperors after the maiden Nero?" Caesar patted his round belly, sighing. "A cage where only one—man or beast—may emerge victorious... I must admit, this ’Sakatsuki’ is even more arrogant than us Augustus."
"And far more outstanding, no?" Boudica retorted bluntly.
Nearby, Nero couldn’t help but turn her gaze to the young man in the arena.
The gentle morning light illuminated his silvery-white hair, casting sharp contours across his sculpted features—like a Greek hero stepping forth from marble, standing tall in this roaring colosseum, awaiting the coming challenge.
"Ahh..." The sigh escaped unbidden as Nero engraved this sight deep into her soul.
An artist rivaling Apollo—so she styled herself.
Though tone-deaf, this maiden emperor truly possessed an artistic soul.
And thus, she was utterly captivated by this magnificent opening act.
What should have arrived with this decisive battle was bloodshed and strife, slaughter and agony—ink-black darkness blotting out the sky as crows cawed raucously, pecking at corpses, scattering gore.
But after this man’s arrival, everything changed.
He brought golden hope.
And so this grand colosseum stood, the preening Beast trapped within its ring. No need for further sacrifice, no tearful farewells—only to slay the wicked beast single-handedly beneath the gaze of gods and the thunderous applause of thousands.
...What a romantic tale.
Eyes shining with childlike delight, the crimson-clad maiden stared transfixed at the man below, her heart fluttering like a startled fawn.
Would he claim exhilarating victory? Or meet his sunset amid lamentations?
Whatever the outcome, Nero felt compelled to witness it through.
Clasping her hands in prayer, the lovestruck girl yearned for her hero’s triumph.
[Nega Messiah Authority Deployment]
[Failure — Concept Weakened]
[Seven Crowns of the Beast Activation]
[Failure — Concept Dispersed]
[Golden Chalice Extraction]
[Failure — Resistance Encountered]
[Number of the Beast Manifestation]
[Success — Concept Altered]
[Beast Authority Generation]
[Success — Enhancement Acquired]
Much like Beast III/S—Kiara Sessyoin—whose authorities were sealed by BB in the SERAPHix incident, the Beast of Sodom—or rather, Draco—felt her power wane the moment she was enclosed within this arena.
The functions tied to "Evil of Humanity" were entirely purged, while those aligned with her nature as a "Beast" were modified and reinforced.
Looking up at the three tangible gazes—Romulus, Jupiter, and Mars looming above—she clicked her tongue in displeasure.
Though Sakatsuki’s summoning might be illusory, gods were still gods. Even a whim carried profound weight.
Most of the arena’s oppressive force stemmed from these three meddlesome deities.
And of course, the architect behind it all—
"So desperate to seal me away again?"
Facing Draco’s accusation, Sakatsuki stretched leisurely, responding with a spring-breeze smile:
"Would staying by my side be so bad? Surely better than being purged by a serious Counter Force."
"Hmph. True enough." Now grown to massive proportions, Draco saw through him instantly. "But your killing intent is leaking, Sakatsuki."
Just as she said, despite his gentle words, murderous armaments had already materialized behind him. The dragon’s heart roared, channelling the Holy Grail’s mana like an engine, flooding his limbs with power.
The Grail entrusted to the Fate Compendium—an infinite mana source even Draco couldn’t access.
Displacement anchors fell like chess pieces, interconnecting into a web of dormant lethality awaiting the player’s command. The void of imaginary numbers yawned open—seemingly harmless, yet even Draco hesitated before its sealing potential.
Projection. Displacement. Imaginary Number magecraft.
Even after deploying his classic trio, Sakatsuki remained unsatisfied. Metallic gleam coalesced in his grip, forming a crimson spear.
The trembling tip emitted rhythmic vibrations, sonic waves enveloping the entire arena.
"Oh? Compound Magecraft—Harmonization?" Having lived alongside Sakatsuki, Draco instantly recognized his trick, smirking. "With me cut off from the imaginary number realm, what use is this magecraft?"
The young man smiled wordlessly. Then—eyes sharpening—he thrust.
"You’ll know soon enough!"
On this god-witnessed stage, the duel commenced!
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