FATE: Target of Grand Master

When Xia Yan opened his eyes again, it was getting light. Nero was sitting on the sofa on the other side, resting with his eyes closed.

Sensing the commotion on Xia Yan's side, Nero opened his eyes.

Good morning, player.

Good morning, Nero.

Nero's expression appeared calm, but the slightly reddened corners of her eyes betrayed that she had been wiping away tears not long ago.

"Are you ready for battle?" Xia Yan asked.

"Mmm!"

Nero nodded solemnly.

"Let's go then."

After breakfast, Xia Yan and Nero arrived at the arena elevator on time.

"Hopefully, yesterday's help will help you win."

Kirei Kotomine was already waiting by the elevator, encouraging Xia Yan with unusually biased words.

Xia Yan politely replied with "Thank you for your kind words" and stepped into the elevator.

The familiar elevator descends, the familiar translucent blue barrier wall appears, but the opponent on the other side has changed.

"You're here, kid. You've been holed up in the lounge ever since we first met yesterday. I thought you weren't coming."

"However," said Woto Monji in a rough voice, "the courage to go to the holy war is still commendable."

Xia Yan retorted without backing down, "You're making it sound like you've been spying on me outside my lounge all this time."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Wotomonji laughed loudly, then said, "I just want to give you another chance to convert to my god."

"The performer admitted to spying outside our lounge."

Nero pointed at the Wotomonji and said to Xia Yan.

"Yeah, he admitted to spying outside our lounge. How disgusting."

Xia Yan showed a look of disgust.

"Ugh. That's insane."

Nero echoed this.

Seeing the two of them singing in unison, Wo Tengmenji said displeasedly, "Foolish! I was hoping to give you another chance to convert to my god, but now even if you kneel down and beg me, you won't get that chance again!"

"Who cares!"

Xia Yan and Nero replied in unison.

"Hmph. You pitiful lambs. If you hadn't met this little one who received his destiny from God, your lives might have been extended even further. Enjoy your last supper now."

Xia Yan and Nero were too lazy to reply to Wotomonji.

However, the two men's silence was interpreted by Woto Monji as them being intimidated by his imposing presence.

"Cowardly lambs, open your eyes and behold the magnificent form of our God! This is the sight that should greet you before you repent. Beneath this beautiful exterior, resembling the Virgin Mary, lies the imposing aura of Fudo Myoo! The moment I saw God, I understood everything. This is my mission, my destiny!"

As if he had gotten quite excited, Wotomonji raised his head, put his hands up high, and made a gesture of utmost piety.

"Player, quickly cover your ears! That guy's words are no different from the ravings of a madman with mental pollution. If you listen carefully, you'll definitely start to get weird! Come on, bend down a bit, I'll cover your ears for you."

"Then I'll plug Nero's ears."

Xia Yan bent down and covered each other's ears with Nero's.

Seeing their actions, Wofeng Moji shouted again, "Your depraved behavior is no different from Lucifer's! That's right, those who hinder my mission to spread the great glory of God are demons, beings that deserve to be destroyed!"

Boom!

Just then, the elevator arrived at the deepest part of the arena.

The two groups of leaders and their followers stepped out of the elevator and stood on either side of the arena.

"This is your end. Our God is merciful; at least you will attain Buddhahood without regret."

"Ah! I can't stand it anymore. We can't let this charlatan breathe the same air as the performer, or the performer will get infected!"

Nero grasped the "Primordial Flame" and slashed at Wotomonji first.

clang!

Without a doubt, Arcueid also sprang into action, easily deflecting Nero's attack with her nails, which were harder than steel.

"cut."

Nero turned around and swung his sword again at Arcueid, who was standing in front of Wotomonji.

This time, Arcueid leaped into the air, dodging Nero's attack while slamming her foot heavily onto the greatsword, slamming it into the ground. At the same time, a long, slender leg swept across Nero's face with the force of a whirlwind.

Nero leaned back to dodge, and although the side kick missed her completely, the gust of wind still made Nero feel as if she had been slapped.

Despite the burning pain on his cheek, Nero covered Arcueid with flames, forcing him to jump away. He then swung a fiery slash while retreating slightly to create some distance.

Nero, are you alright?

Nero clearly suffered a slight loss in the previous battle, so Xia Yan naturally wanted to offer his condolences.

"I'm fine."

Nero rubbed his left cheek, his gaze growing even more resolute.

Xia Yan placed his hand on Nero's shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry. We're not without a chance. I'll provide support if necessary."

"Mmm."

Since being summoned, Nero has felt a sense of security no matter what opponent she faces, and the source of this security is Xia Yan, who is still encouraging her at this moment.

Although as a human being, he would feel nervous when facing a terrifying enemy, Xia Yan never backed down. His mind was always on how to break through and how to move forward.

Since my performer is so great, I must also perform well.

In stark contrast to Xia Yan and Nero's cautious demeanor, Wo Tengmenji on the other side had already knelt down with his hands clasped together in a prayer-like posture, appearing extremely devout.

"Ah, my god, please display your divine power! Send these ignorant fools, who have no wisdom and know nothing of the divine, to the Yellow Springs!"

Arcueid remained unresponsive to Motoshi's words. Her clothes were spotless, and even Nero's fiery slash had been neutralized by her claw strikes made with her fingernails.

Seeing Xia Yan and Nero whispering to each other, Arcueid immediately rushed forward and launched an attack.

This attack was even more ferocious. Each claw strike was so fast that Xia Yan could only see a blurry afterimage. Nero, as a Servant, could see more clearly, but keeping up with the opponent's movements was another matter entirely.

Clang! Clang! Splat!

Clang! Clang! Splat!

Nero brandished the "Primal Flame" back and forth, but still could not completely defend against Arcueid's attacks. Several claw marks caused by fingernails appeared on her dress on her arms, thighs, sides, and shoulders.

Don't underestimate me!

Once again suppressed by Arcueid, Nero roared, venting his frustration while recalling the description of Arcueid's fighting style that he had seen in the materials he had read the night before.

Although Arcueid's aggressiveness and moves became more aggressive due to his berserk state, Nero gradually figured out Arcueid's attack patterns.