This was the crux of his argument with Shirou.
"That's impossible! Given your condition, it would only hasten your death. Besides, I'm stronger than you. Even against a Servant, I could be of some use."
"This isn't about who's stronger. Shirou is just a child. He should stay home and wait for me. Fighting is an adult's responsibility."
"I'm not a child. Although I look seven, I'm actually seventeen."
"Seventeen is still a child. Kirei Kotomine and Assassin aren't the type to go easy on children. My lifespan is nearly at its end anyway. It doesn't matter if I die, but Shirou is different."
"Don't worry. I have a trump card that can save my life."
"That still won't do. Shirou, let me take the two Servants into battle alone. This is the only thing I can do now. In the final days of my life, let me do something meaningful, alright?"
"I understand how you feel, but you..."
"That's enough!"
At that moment, Nero suddenly stood up, planted her hands on her hips, and declared spiritedly:
"Your dispute is far too petty. Seven Heroic Spirits from different eras have crossed time and space to appear together in this city."
"This should be an exhilarating moment, yet you have been scheming, ambushing one another, ganging up on the weak, and attacking Masters. Such conduct is far too petty."
"Isn't that what war is?" Lancelot could not help saying.
"Indeed it is, but I dislike such conduct." Nero's response was utterly decisive.
"Then what do you want to do?" Shirou asked instinctively.
"An excellent question!"
Nero smiled faintly, drew the strange crimson sword at her waist, and proclaimed:
"It is time to hold a Nero Festival! Invite every Heroic Spirit to compete. The victor shall gain ownership of the Holy Grail, as well as my reward."
"No, that alone is not enough. The entire city should be invited to participate."
Shirou looked at her speechlessly. As expected of Your Majesty Nero. It was a miracle that his other self could put up with such willful behavior.
If only he had not used those Riding Boots last night. Summoning Archer might have been better.
Inside the White Mist Space.
After releasing their clasped hands, Celestial Dragon Shirou said excitedly:
"As expected of Nero! What a great idea. When the time comes, make sure you remember everything and come back to share it with us."
Young Shirou looked at him speechlessly and thought:
It seems that eight years of different experiences have made our personalities somewhat different.
"Don't just gloat. Hurry and help me think of something. If Nero gets surrounded and it becomes five against two, what am I supposed to do?"
"Relax. You're too close to the situation to see it clearly." Coachman Shirou smiled reassuringly. "Given the King of Conquerors' personality, he definitely will not join forces with the others before Nero demonstrates overwhelming strength."
"Actually, if the other four Servants join forces, the King of Conquerors will probably side with you. Three against three—at the very least, it will be an even match."
"Don't instinctively ignore Hassan. He may be somewhat useless, but he's still a Servant," Young Shirou complained, then turned to Celestial Dragon Shirou with hesitation on his face. "Is there any way to save Kariya?"
"Oh...? You have not even spent a full day together, and he has already captured your heart?" Celestial Dragon Shirou chuckled.
"Don't make such a nasty joke. Can it be done or not?"
"You know my memories inside out. Didn't you already know the answer before asking? There is simply nothing that can save him."
"Sigh... I knew that, but I still could not help holding onto a sliver of hope. For example, making him eat the Insect-Insect Fruit, Model: Insect."
"Would that help? His body was ruined by insects, but that does not mean turning into an insect himself would save him. Unless he could develop the Zoan Devil Fruit to its awakened state within just a few days."
Shirou let out a long sigh and said no more.
Kariya's body was already riddled with holes. Unless he found Touko Aozaki and had her give Kariya a new body.
But Touko Aozaki's whereabouts were unknown. She was not someone who could be found in a short time.
Rather than waste time on that, he might as well hope that another version of himself capable of saving Kariya would arrive in the White Mist Space.
"Forget it. Let's change the subject. Speaking of which, why didn't you buy Hancock and her two sisters? Didn't you have several chances?"
"Women would only hinder my progress in becoming stronger."
"Speak normally."
"Don't ask when you already know the answer. You know that by the time I met them, they had already been slaves for nearly two years and were filled with hatred for the Celestial Dragons. What would buying them accomplish? I have no interest in being anyone's therapist."
The Tyrant Takes the Stage
The Tyrant Takes the Stage
"Good. I swaggered through this city all day, yet no one was willing to show themselves. You are the only strong one who accepted my invitation."
At night, in Fuyuki City's docklands, the Servant carrying twin spears slowly walked into an open area.
Several meters away, Artoria stood with dignified resolve in a men's suit. She stepped forward and placed herself in front of Irisviel.
The next moment, a Rain of Petals suddenly fell from the sky. Golden light rose from the ground, and the dim docklands instantly became as bright as day.
In an instant, the surroundings changed from the docklands into an ancient western city.
People bustled through the streets. Stalls along the road sold fruit, vegetables, and sundries, while children played with one another.
Within the two's field of vision, several people dressed in modern clothing looked around in confusion, utterly out of place amid their surroundings.
Diarmuid tightened his grip on his twin spears and watched the surroundings warily.
"A Noble Phantasm?"
"Was this your doing, Lancer?"
Artoria's black suit instantly transformed into blue armor, and an invisible sword appeared in her hand.
"No. My Noble Phantasm is only the twin spears in my hands." Diarmuid denied it instinctively.
At that moment, a projection suddenly appeared in the sky.
In the projection, a girl holding a crimson sword and possessing the exact same appearance as Artoria loudly announced with high spirits:
"I am Nero Claudius, the Fifth Emperor of the Roman Empire, and I have descended in this Holy Grail War as Caster."
"This is my Noble Phantasm, and also the City of Rome of which I am most proud. Today, it has crossed two thousand years of time to descend here."
"A festival is an event that brings joy to all people, regardless of era or location."
"Heroic Spirits from different eras have gathered here and are engaging in fierce battle for the Holy Grail. Such a grand occasion should be enlivened by my splendid Nero Festival."
"Of course, if only Heroic Spirits and Masters participated, it would be far too petty."
"Therefore, I have randomly selected fifty thousand citizens of Fuyuki City to serve as both spectators and contestants."
"This Nero Festival consists of three events: the Citizen Tournament, the Master Tournament, and the Heroic Spirit Tournament."
"As the organizer of these events, I have prepared three prizes. Only the champions may claim them."
"The prize for the Citizen Tournament is the Fountain of Life and one ton of gold. Gold has been coveted by people since ancient times, while the Fountain of Life can restore the elderly to youth and make young children healthy and intelligent."
"The prize for the Master Tournament is the Golden Apple and my singing voice. I am the only artist in the world who can rival Apollo, so my singing needs no introduction. The Golden Apple can improve one's aptitude for magecraft and increase the number of Magic Circuits in the body."
"The prize for the Heroic Spirit Tournament is fine wine I have carefully prepared, along with ownership of the Holy Grail."
"Hehe... Though I do not understand things like atmosphere, I can still feel the joy filling the air."
"Those whose hearts have been stirred, if you wish to claim the prizes, then register and compete!"
"I hereby declare the festival—begin!"
Cheers immediately erupted throughout the city without pause.
Diarmuid looked back and forth between the projection in the sky and Artoria, then asked hesitantly:
"You two... are relatives?"
"No. We have no relation whatsoever."
Artoria stared blankly at the sky. Even after the projection disappeared, she had yet to come back to her senses.
She could tell that the people in the city genuinely adored that girl whose appearance was almost identical to her own.
And that was something she had always strived for, yet had never achieved.
Their appearances were extraordinarily alike, yet the other girl's breadth of heart far surpassed her own. Under her rule, the happy smiles on the people's faces were utterly genuine.
Even after death, they were still willing to follow her forever. Such bonds, such a person—why was she called a tyrant?
Elsewhere in the city, the Rider pair.
"Ha ha ha... Such grandeur, such generosity. I'm getting excited."
"What are you even thinking? We're inside the enemy's Noble Phantasm, yet instead of finding a way to escape, you're calmly drinking here."
"Don't rush. Thanks to her, all the Servants have gathered here. We can catch them all in one net. Wouldn't it be faster than searching for them one by one?"
"Take them all... at once?" Waver stared at him blankly and could not help repeating it.
"Of course. Opportunities to fight heroes and great men from different eras are rare beyond measure, and there are six of them at once. Naturally, I cannot let a single one slip away."
The King of Conquerors paused, patted Waver's shoulder with his large hand, and laughed.
"However, before the battle begins, let us enjoy the festival to the fullest."
"Huh...? Huh...!?"
"Kid, let's go."
"Where?" Waver asked despite himself as he was seized by the arm and practically dragged forward.
"Obviously, to register you."
"Huh...? I don't want to participate. I definitely can't win."
"Kid, don't you want it? The Golden Apple."
"Of course I do, but I definitely can't win. Entering the competition would just be a waste of time."
"If you want it, then compete! The result of no contest is decided before it begins."
Elsewhere in the city, the Archer pair.
"King, could you please wait until after the festival before taking action against Caster?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka stood respectfully before Gilgamesh. His posture and manners were impeccable, yet he had secretly prepared himself to use a Command Seal.
Although the incident had occurred suddenly, Nero's projection had appeared quickly, so he already understood what had happened.
Servants were merely avatars of Heroic Spirits. Only Servants themselves could use a Servant's treasures, so even if they were seized, they would be of no use.
Before you continue