FATE: Target of Grand Master

Zenobia swung his arm, and the two floating crossbows on his shoulder flew out again, harassing Nero with irregular flight paths. At the same time, the one-handed sword in his right hand and the spear in his left hand were also imbued with magic, ready to launch an attack at any time.

While they were talking, Nero was also thinking about how to defeat his opponent.

It must be said that Zenobi's weaponry was extremely complete, with swords for close combat, spears for medium range, and bows and crossbows for long range. If he were on the battlefield, he could probably take on an entire army by himself.

Even with complete weaponry, there's only one core processor controlling it. As long as Zenobia is put under enough pressure, her brain won't have time to process more information.

That's what I said, but in my current state, it's a pipe dream to defeat her unscathed.

One arm? Not enough.

Add another leg? That still doesn't seem enough.

What about adding two more serious injuries that avoid vital points? That seems barely enough, but only if the opponent stays standing still the whole time.

This is a headache. It seems I'll have to give up my last bit of willpower.

Oh well, this is the final decisive match anyway. What does this little bit of pain matter if I can leave with the performer?

Having considered the consequences, Nero gripped his sword and charged straight at Zenobi.

The floating crossbows in the air reacted immediately, having already laid a trap along Nero's inevitable path.

clang!

Pfft!

Boom!

Nero abandoned the strategy of defending both sides, actively blocking the crossbow bolts coming from the left with his left hand, and with his right hand, he swung his sword and unleashed a fire dragon that not only swallowed the crossbow bolts coming from the right, but also destroyed the floating crossbows on the right.

Without stopping or even slowing down much, Nero continued charging toward Zenobi.

The black and red spear was already aimed at Nero, and in less than a second, Zenobi hurled it.

boom!

This time, Nero also swung his greatsword. The two weapons collided and unleashed intense magical ripples before falling to the ground together as they neutralized each other.

Whoosh!

The remaining floating crossbow was still pursuing Nero.

Nero immediately twisted his body and hid behind the "Primordial Flame," thus avoiding a section of it.

Just as Nero gripped his crimson greatsword again, preparing to advance, Zenobi moved closer and joined the battle with his one-handed sword.

Nero quickly raised his sword to parry, which exposed an opening for the floating crossbow.

Whoosh!

Nero's abdomen was pierced by a crossbow bolt, and the pain forced him to kneel on one knee, a move that gave Zenobia an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

Having suffered countless humiliations at the hands of the Roman emperor during his lifetime, he one day saw the Roman emperor kneeling before him.

Zenobia noticed that Nero's counterattack was a fraction slower than before due to a slight lapse in concentration.

A tiny fire dragon shot out from the "Primordial Fire," spiraling along the blades where the two swords had collided, and coiled up Zenobi's arm.

Upon seeing this, Zenobia immediately retreated and simultaneously used his floating crossbow bolts to fire at the attacker.

The fire dragon did not pose a significant threat to Zenobia, only causing some burns to his arm, but its real purpose was to buy Nero precious time.

By the time Zenobi refocused his attention on Nero, the Roman emperor was already engulfed in towering flames, and his previous injuries had been treated in the intense heat.

Nero plunged his sword into the ground and activated his Noble Phantasm without hesitation.

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

The golden Roman theater reappeared, Nero raised his greatsword, and seven fire-breathing dragons rose up and attacked Zenobius.

Gazing at the seven monsters that resembled evil dragons, Zenobia was reminded once again of her own country in her lifetime, which, like her now, faced an attack from the monstrous Roman Empire.

At that time, she and her country tried every means possible, but in the end they were defeated by the Roman emperor named Aurelianus, who came from the military. But now, she never wanted to repeat the same mistake.

Just now, he had made that even more ancient Roman emperor kneel before him. If he could succeed once, he could succeed a second time!

Zenobi's magic began to overflow, and the golden chains binding him began to break and shatter, replaced by a majestic silver-white armor like that of a Valkyrie and a golden halo that kept spinning behind him.

Noble Phantasm: Shatter the golden shackles, shatter the golden shame.

This is a Noble Phantasm that can only be released in its true name when Zenobi sincerely believes that she is "the ideal queen" or "can prove herself to be the ideal queen through this battle." Its activation conditions are so strict that it cannot be activated if there is even the slightest hesitation.

Its image is that of Zenobi pouring all of her magic, spiritual power, willpower, awakening, anger, dignity and many other elements into shattering the golden shackles and chains that were closely connected to her spiritual origin, and transforming into the image of "the possibility she longed for", that is, "the Eastern Queen who washed away the defeat and shame brought by the Roman Emperor Aurelianus, defeated the Roman Empire and achieved final victory".

In other words, this Noble Phantasm is equivalent to temporarily negating Zenobi's fate before his death and replacing it with his own imagination.

It has to be said that the nature of this Noble Phantasm is extremely explosive even in the entire Type-Moon universe. It is a miniature version of a figment of imagination, which can only be used by oneself, commonly known as "confidence shining brightly".

At this moment, Zenobi was suspended in mid-air, his heart filled with confidence. Countless points of light shot out from the halo behind him, colliding with the seven fire dragons like cannonballs.

Boom boom boom!

After a series of explosions, the seven fire-breathing dragons that symbolized Rome in Zenobi's eyes were destroyed, and the surrounding golden theater was reduced to dust. For the first time, a smile finally appeared on her face.

"You look quite pretty when you smile."

Just as Zenobia was still basking in the joy of victory, Nero suddenly burst out of the smoke and pierced her stomach with his sword.

"You... how could this be?"

Zenobi, spitting out a mouthful of blood, stared in shock at Nero standing before him.

With just a moment's hesitation, Zenobi's Noble Phantasm effect vanished instantly, and the two of them fell from mid-air together.

Despite her severe injuries, Zenobia's attention was entirely focused on Nero, who was falling alongside her.

This short, blond emperor was covered in wounds. In addition to the previous injuries to her left arm and abdomen, there were also the marks left by her own light bullet barrage attack. If it were an ordinary Servant, her spirit origin would have been shattered by now, but she was still able to launch a counterattack.

Why?

Why can such a small body unleash such enormous energy?

"Zenobia, I admit you were an excellent servant and an excellent queen. If I were in your shoes, I dare not say I could have done better. However, although I am the Emperor of Rome, I have never felt that today's battle is a battle between Rome and Palmyra. Today, I have only one identity: the servant of the Musician. I will offer victory to the Musician and also fight for a way out for both of us in the future."