FATE: Target of Grand Master

Sensing that Romulus's wielding of the Spear of Founding had gained even more power, Nero did not choose to fight head-on, but instead retreated, widening the gap between them.

Putting aside the fact that Romulus was empowered by a Command Seal, this battle was very disadvantageous for Nero from the start.

In terms of strength, Romulus, with a strength rating of B, is definitely superior to Nero, who has a strength rating of C.

In terms of defense (which is more reflected in health in the game), Romulus with A durability is two levels higher than Nero with C durability.

In addition, Romulus's Spear of the Nation is at least 2.5 meters long, and its attack range far exceeds that of Nero's "Primal Flame". In close combat, Nero would not have any advantage at all.

Flames covered the crimson greatsword as Nero unleashed a fiery slash, only to have it blocked by the massive blade of the Spear of Nation.

As expected, even ranged attacks could not easily break through the God Ancestor's defenses, and Nero's beautiful, delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly in the middle.

"Nero, my child. Let your Master cast a Command Spell for you."

Nero was taken aback; it turned out that the Divine Ancestor had already seen through her intentions.

Seeing that Nero made no move, Romulus spoke again: "What? Do you think that relying on your Master's Command Spell means you didn't win by your own ability?"

Romulus's expression hardened, and he rebuked him with an extremely serious look: "Have you forgotten that I still have the Command Seals' enhancement? Do you really think you have a chance to defeat me when I have the Command Seals' enhancement and you don't? Don't be ridiculous! You underestimate me, Romulus, far too much!"

Nero, who had been reprimanded by Romulus, immediately realized his mistake and apologized to him, saying, "Your Majesty is right; I was too arrogant."

Then, Nero called out to Xia Yan, who was sitting in the distance, "Player, I need Command Seals to support me."

Xia Yan did not hesitate and immediately revealed the Command Seal on the back of his right hand.

"I command in the name of the Command Spell! Nero, defeat Romulus with all your might!"

If fairness is to be achieved, then the commands of the Command Seals should also be distinct.

Xia Yan used the same command Li Zhuang had given Nero when he used the Command Spell, granting him the same enhancement.

This detail did not escape Romulus's notice. He nodded slightly to Xia Yan, which was considered an affirmation.

A red light flashed, and Nero, feeling his Spirit Origin enhanced by the Command Seals, once again raised the "Primordial Flame".

"My Lord God, let's continue."

Romulus smiled and nodded, extending his right hand with four fingers bent inward, signaling Nero to "bring it on."

Nero lowered his body, bent his left leg forward, and pushed off with his right leg, instantly rushing in front of Romulus.

"Nero, such attacks are useless against me."

Despite Nero's speed, both of them had an A-rank agility and were boosted by Command Seals, so Romulus's reaction time was still fast enough.

Nero felt his greatsword being gripped by an immense force, and then he and his sword were sent flying backward.

Adjusting his center of gravity in mid-air, Nero pointed his greatsword at Romulus, and a fire dragon shot out from the tip of the greatsword, roaring as it pounced on the pursuing god.

This is?

Romulus was clearly unprepared for Nero's move, and immediately stopped his pursuit, holding the Spear of Founding in front of him.

Boom!

The fire dragon struck the Founding Spear, creating a violent explosion.

Romulus staggered back two steps before regaining his balance. He looked at the spot on the Spear of Founding of the Nation with some surprise, finding the power of the fire dragon somewhat unbelievable.

"Ha—ah!"

Without giving Romulus time to think, Nero charged forward again, sword in hand.

Unlike last time, this time Nero released three fire dragons at the same time as he charged forward. Each fire dragon's head was the size of an adult's, and they hunted the target from the left, right, and top directions respectively.

Romulus hurriedly held the Spear of Founding in front of him, confident that he could block Nero's attack by using its massive size.

However, things did not turn out as he had expected.

As if they were alive, the three fire dragons dodged the position of the Spear of Founding and circled around to attack Romulus from behind.

Boom!Boom!Boom!

In a flash, Romulus forcibly twisted his body, blocking the attack of the three fire dragons, but also exposing his back to Nero.

Combined with the impact of the fire dragon, Romulus's tall figure was pushed in reverse towards Nero's direction.

Pfft!

Without any suspense, Nero's "Primordial Flame" left a deep, bone-revealing wound on Romulus's broad back.

The battle situation changed so quickly that Romulus, who had been in the lead, was now kneeling on one knee, panting heavily.

"Nero, don't stop! Romulus isn't so easy to defeat."

Xia Yan's voice echoed in Nero's mind.

Nero immediately raised his sword to deliver the final blow, but it was blocked by the Spear of Founding.

Inherent skill: Seven Hills A, which is a skill that Romulus also has the effect of perseverance.

"That feint just now was brilliant. It seems I have no room to relax now."

Deflecting Nero's greatsword, Romulus plunged the Spear of Founding into the ground, and his magical power began to rise.

"Noble Phantasm! My spear can penetrate all things!"

The ground began to tremble, and several enormous trees rose from the ground, surrounding Nero completely.

Suddenly, the light was blocked, and Nero felt as if he were in the dark.

However, Nero still possessed the "Primordial Flame," and with the light from the burning greatsword, he was able to see his surroundings clearly.

He was surrounded by Romulus's large tree, a symbol of Rome, and trapped in a hemispherical space. As the density of the trees increased, the space for Nero to move around became smaller and smaller.

Nero swung his sword, cutting off some branches, but more branches would fill the gaps, preventing him from escaping.

This won't do; I'll eventually be crushed to death by the trees.

It seems that the only thing that can counter Noble Phantasms is Noble Phantasms themselves.

Nero planted the "Primordial Flame" into the ground, and the Golden Theater stood outside the plant hemisphere that enveloped Nero, creating a visual effect of an anti-encirclement.

"Noble Phantasm! The Glorious Imperial Rule Sung by a Young Maiden!"

Nero raised the "Primordial Flame," and seven fire dragons rose from the ground, simultaneously attacking the plant hemisphere that enveloped her.

In fact, Nero's Noble Phantasm itself does not have an offensive effect; the Golden Theater is more like a field enhancement that makes Nero's usual skills stronger.

After all, His Majesty Nero was full of confidence in his artistic talents, and those confident performances were almost all done in the Golden Theatre.

With the added power of their Noble Phantasms, the seven fire dragons were even more formidable, piercing straight through the trunk of the great tree symbolizing Rome. Then, like tracking missiles, they all struck Romulus, who was also unleashing his Noble Phantasm and had no time to make any defensive moves.

"Ugh—!"

The dragon's burning pained Romulus, but at the same time, he felt gratified.

"Nero, my child, you have already possessed the power to surpass me, to surpass Rome. The path ahead will be written by you alone, a Rome that belongs only to Nero Claudius. I believe that, with your Master by your side, you will be able to make full use of this power. Farewell, my child, Rome is with you."