Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Nero (original: 耀) |
| Alias(es) | Ni Lu (past life), Nero Fortuna, Samael, Hamelin Nero Fortuna |
| Species/Race | Reincarnator / Half-Demon (Sparda bloodline) |
| Gender | Feminine |
| Affiliation | Devil May Cry, No Name (associated), Ouroboros (associated) |
| Occupation/Role | Protagonist, Demon Hunter, Songstress of the Festival of the Blade |
| Status | Active |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Awakening | Ch. 2 | Reincarnates as Nero; awakens demonic bloodline after a chest wound, manifesting a golden feather-wrapped vertical eye mutation on her chest 2. |
| Pseudo-Devil Trigger | Ch. 11 | Draws the Yamato from the illusion of V, entering a Pseudo-Devil Trigger state with silver hair and bloodlit pupils, allowing spatial slashes and phantasmal support 10 11. |
| Incomplete Arrogance Demon | Ch. 110 | Masters the fusion of transformation modes, manifesting dark green/golden wings and part of the Arrogance Demon's power 54 110. |
| Full Demon Form | Ch. 229 | Fully awakens genuine Demon Form after swallowing the Underworld Tree Fruit, featuring golden feather-like breastplate scales, a crown around silver-white hair, and wing claws 229 435. |
Background / History
Nero is a reincarnator who died in her past life as Ni Lu after trying to do the right thing, and woke up in a research facility belonging to the Order of the Sword as the female counterpart of the Devil May Cry protagonist, Nero 2. Discovering a demonic mutation on her chest and realizing the Order's sinister plot involving the colossal "Savior" and her Sparda bloodline, she fights her way out and resolves to stop them 2.
Over her journey, she traverses alternate timelines, Singularities in the Fate/Grand Order universe (such as 1348 England and modern Babylon) 34 447, and the world of Little Garden 167, while also enrolling as a student at Cassell College in the Dragon Raja world 240. Throughout her travels, she battles various Demon Lords and entities like Echidna, Pavoni, Nanna, and Asmodeus, collects powerful Demonic Tools, and confronts her connection to her "Old Man" V and Urizen 11 68 110 157 232.
Appearance
Nero is a young woman characterized by bright blonde hair (which transforms into silver-white or platinum when using demonic power) and striking light-blue eyes 10 11 205. She carries a refined, noble presence and often adopts formal attire or practical combat wear like skirts and pants depending on her operational environment 19 90.
- Distinguishing Features:
Personality
Nero is confident, strategic, and resourceful, possessing a sharp intellect and a penchant for dry mockery when facing arrogant foes 10 104. Despite her elegant exterior and cultivated "Little Saintess" or noble transfer student personas, she possesses a fierce, aggressive fighting style and a deep determination to protect others and thwart the schemes of corrupt organizations 9 81. She holds a complicated view of her demonic heritage and her paternal figures, particularly showing a fiery resentment toward power-obsessed legacies while fiercely carving out her own path 10 232.
Abilities & Skills
Demonic Power & Transformations
Nero draws upon her inherited Sparda bloodline to access immense demonic energy, materialize weapons, and undergo multi-stage physical transformations 2 10 229.
- Manifests a Pseudo-Devil Trigger and a full True Demon Form, greatly enhancing physical attributes, durability, and speed 11 229.
- Employs Anthem and Judgment Cut End techniques to unleash devastating multi-slash barrages and spatial manipulation 54 164.
- Utilizes Voice of Illusion to charm and gain the trust of creatures when paired with her demonic tools 164.
Combat & Weapon Proficiency
A remarkably adaptable combatant, Nero excels in close-quarters martial arts, acrobatics, and the proficient wielding of complex arms 9 12.
- Combines physical strikes—such as overhead bicycle kicks, elbow drops, and spinning sweeps—with supernatural weaponplay 19.
- Possesses advanced marksmanship and tactical awareness, capable of turning enemies into projectiles or adapting on the fly against overwhelming hordes 19 54.
Equipment / Weapons / Items
- Yamato: A legendary katana inherited from her father that possesses spatial-cutting properties and triggers her devil transformations 10 11 12.
- Echidna (Serpent Sword): A subdued Demon Lord transformed into a versatile whip sword/straight sword that controls plants 11 12 19.
- Gilgamesh: An impact steel armor and armament set integrated onto her body that grants enhanced striking power 12.
- Asmodeus: A demonic handgun/tool used for marksmanship and tactical control 164 183.
- Samael: A cane sword possessing void stealth and invisibility properties 119.
- Invidia: A forged demonic sword and revolver created using Demonic Beast He cores 458.
- Gift Card: An all-knowing soul-bound paper piece used to track her Gifts and store items 193.
- Demonic Blood Ring: A ring used to seal and disguise her half-demon princess status 197.
Relationships
- V — Paternal connection / traveling companion; she assists him in reaching the heart of the Demon World Tree 217 227.
- Urizen / Vergil — Paternal figure and adversary; Nero confronts his obsession with power and ultimately defeats him 232.
- Dante — Complicated relative / counterpart; their interactions are marked by competitive friction and mutual recognition of strength 345 435.
- Toyokawa Sachiko (Oblivionis / Nanna) — Adversary turned tragic figure; Nero clashes with her over her control of the Dream World and the Moon Blood Princess 102 110 137.
- Nagasaki Soyo — Former companion and fellow combatant against demon forces 84 86.
- Kasukabe Yo — Rival and participant in Little Garden Gift Games 181 189.
- Lin & His Highness — Allies from Ouroboros who assist her with strategies and sealing her powers for games 190 197.
- Lu Mingfei — Acquaintance at Cassell College whom she monitors regarding his protagonist potential and dragon-slaying destiny 238 240.
Story Role / Major Arcs
- Awakening & The Order's Plot: Awakens her memories and demonic bloodline in an Order facility, embarking on a quest to dismantle their plans and defeat the Savior 2.
- The Demon Lord Confrontations: Hunts down and subdues demonic lords like Echidna and Pavoni, transforming them into usable Demonic Tools while unlocking her Arrogance Demon evolution 11 68.
- The Dream World & Nanna Arc: Investigates Toyokawa Sachiko's manipulated memories and battles the Moon Blood Princess within the dreamscape alongside Asmodeus's schemes 102 110 157.
- Little Garden Gift Games: Enters Little Garden, participates in high-stakes Gift Games against formidable communities, and temporarily seals her Sparda bloodline to bypass game restrictions 167 197.
- Cassell College & Dragon Slaying: Infiltrates Cassell College in the Dragon Raja timeline to monitor dragon kings, master alchemy and dragon language, and prevent apocalyptic resurrections 240 280.
Trivia
- Nero adopted the surname "Fortuna" based on her hometown, inspired by Dante's alias "Tony Redgrave" 81.
- Despite her elegant and composed public persona as a noble transfer student, she exhibits a preference for practical combat wear (such as pants) and expresses intense frustration when interrupted during gaming or investigations 19 90 238.