Chapter Two – The Eternal Mad Empire: Septem.
"Tyranny!!"
The reinforcements sent by the Druid turned out to be truly powerful. But there was a small... tiny problem.
"E-enemy! An enemy has appeared...!"
"Tyranny! My beloved tyranny! Fall by the sword of rebellion! Submit and become weak! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
Spartacus, whose fervor could not be contained, rushed forward with such force that he flew past the camp. But every time he found himself near encampments, he caused such havoc that a state of emergency was declared in the Gallo-Roman Empire.
"Look! Listen! Feel! My rebellion! This is resistance to oppression! The hammer and love that punishes tyrants! Oh! Before my rebellion, you will become weak!"
Ritsuka's head began to ache. Everything had gone awry: according to the plan, Boudica was supposed to lead the troops and stealthily slip through the Roman lines. Now, when they needed to move as quietly as possible, Spartacus, with his relentless rampage, had attracted too much attention.
"Senpai... at this rate, our plan..." Mash faltered.
"Now I don't know either," Ritsuka exhaled.
The only good thing was that the attack had caught the enemy completely by surprise, and they hadn't had time to react. Besides, Spartacus, either out of stupidity or some strange nobility, didn't linger in the camps for methodical slaughter but simply swept away the soldiers who stood in his path.
[Don't you think everything is going a bit awry? And this hero of rebellion, Spartacus, looks completely inadequate...]
Romani couldn't understand: was it the influence of the Berserker class, or was the very nature of this Heroic Spirit like this?
"Oh, fragile creature! Who are you – tyranny or rebellion? Looking at you, I see: neither, you are just weak! The weak deserve protection! I declare rebellion against your tyranny!"
[Oh, it seems I've just been called a weakling doctor...]
Spartacus's words apparently struck a nerve with Romani, and he disconnected with an extremely offended look. If one recalled Orleans, the Servants constantly ignored or belittled him. Maybe he owed someone a lot in his past life?
"Mash, how much further do we have to run?"
"Uh... according to the coordinates... in ten seconds?"
Following Spartacus, they finally reached the Gallo-Roman Empire. Ritsuka initially didn't understand how they got there so quickly. But the answer was simple: they had taken the shortest route, literally in a straight line. They had to break through several garrisons and cause a stir, but in the end, they arrived right on time.
"That was fast..." he muttered.
Actually, they were supposed to wait for Boudica's signal, but... they arrived too early. However, thanks to Spartacus's rampage, there was already chaos among the enemy.
"Oh-oh! Rome! Tyrant! It is I, Spartacus, who has come for you! Rebellion! Resistance! Resist oppression and become weak before my rebellion! Rome!!"
"It seems he's gone even crazier," Ritsuka remarked.
And so it was. Spartacus, shouting, rushed towards the imperial palace of the Gallo-Roman Empire, visible in the distance.
"Shall we follow him, Senpai?"
"...No. Let's not rush."
Since they had reached their destination, let Spartacus rage. In this confusion, it would be easier to get to the emperor. And the Berserker... he was a tough guy, he would survive somehow.
"Tyranny-y-y!"
"Enemy! Enemy is advancing!"
"Where are the legionaries looking?! Stop him!"
As Ritsuka had predicted, Spartacus turned Gallo-Rome into a boiling cauldron of chaos. Soldiers tried to hold him back with swords, spears, and arrows, but he, without even flinching, continued his "rebellion" against "tyranny," stuck with weapon fragments.
[Guys! Detecting Servant reaction! Besides Spartacus, there's someone else here!]
"Senpai, get down!"
As soon as Romani finished warning them, Mash covered Ritsuka with herself. At the same moment, a glowing projectile streaked through the air from the direction of the palace. The incredibly fast-moving object crashed directly into Mash's shield. A powerful explosion sounded, but the shield's durability was enough to withstand the impact.
"Second shot! Coming!"
Mash grabbed Ritsuka's hand and dashed to the side, moving out of the line of fire. It seemed they had been targeted. Judging by the projectiles, the enemy was an Archer.
[Archer? Of course. And judging by the accuracy from such a distance, it's a Heroic Spirit of exceptional skill!]
"Yes, but we've taken cover in the urban sprawl, so it will be difficult for him to shoot... Third shot!"
Mash's words were cut off by another whistle. She instantly jumped and put her shield in the air to minimize damage to surrounding buildings. Another explosion. She was thrown back, but not injured.
"Mash, are you okay?"
"Yes, Senpai. But if we stay at a distance, the enemy will have the advantage. Let's break through!"
Clutching Ritsuka's hand tightly, Mash rushed forward, closing the distance. The fourth shot rang out – a miss, mere centimeters away. The fifth shot landed to the side, as if trying to make them swerve, but Mash did not flinch. She professionally took the sixth shot on her shield, ricocheting the projectile.
"Looks like we'll have to fight up close," she whispered.
The Archer, standing motionless before the palace, lowered his bow upon seeing the approaching Servant with a shield. Apparently, his main task was to protect the emperor. The Berserker, who was destroying everything in the city, did not concern him yet, so they became the priority target. But this had to end too.
"Here I come!"
The Archer put down his bow and raised his hands, assuming a stance.
"Servant Archer!"
Their eyes met. The distance closed to the limit, Mash raised her shield, intending to ram the opponent. However, the Archer, with a slight shoulder movement, gently caught the impact with his palms on the flat of the shield and, redirecting the inertia, pushed Mash away.
"Ah!"
Thrown back by her own force, Mash flipped in the air and landed on her feet, barely maintaining her balance.
"Mash!"
Flowing water? Martial arts? Looking at the Archer's technique, reminiscent of Chinese Wushu, Ritsuka hurried to his comrade.
"It is most regrettable. You seem to be a capable Servant. Please understand my position – I am obliged to protect His Majesty the Emperor."
[Guys! Are you alright? Servant Archer! From such a distance... his true name is Chiron!]
"Chiron?!" Ritsuka exclaimed.
The greatest mentor who raised the heroes of Greece. Chiron the Centaur, renowned as a master of both word and deed, stood right before them.
"Oh, you recognized my name? A pity. In that case, I cannot afford to give you any leeway. The responsibility for the Emperor's safety rests on me."
Chiron assumed a stance again. He did not raise his bow. For an Archer, close-range combat with a bow in hand is inconvenient. But a Servant of this class is strong not only in shooting. The technique with which he repelled Mash's onslaught is "Pankration," an ancient martial art combining elements of wrestling and boxing.
"I advise you not to harbor illusions that you have a chance in close combat."
Mash, having recovered, adjusted her grip on the shield. It wasn't about chances. They had to defeat the emperor while Boudica's troops distracted the garrisons. They needed to at least buy time until the main forces arrived.
"A pity. If we had met as allies, we could have had a pleasant conversation..."
Mash went on the offensive, but knowing the power of Pankration, she acted cautiously. Chiron also did not rush: they circled each other, locked in a gaze. But even embodying calmness, Chiron did not intend to give up the initiative.
"If you won't come to me, I'll come myself!"
A sharp lunge. Mash tried to cover herself, but Chiron's technique, a Servant of divine level, was devastating. For her, a Demi-Servant, still getting used to her strength, the difference in experience was colossal.
"Kh!"
Chiron deflected the shield to the side and delivered two lightning-fast blows to the torso. An ordinary person would have been torn to shreds, but the Servant's body held up – there were no internal injuries.
"Mash! Pull yourself together!"
But a moment's hesitation proved fatal: a powerful kick followed, and Mash flew to the side. Ritsuka rushed to her, helping her up. He knew she was a Servant, but for him, she had long become something much more.
"Please, leave. It would be better if it ended with me. The Emperor is not nearly as merciful as I am."
"This... shall not be..."
Mash got up. To protect the Master, to protect Senpai. They had not yet found the Grail. After overcoming Chiron, they must restore human order and reclaim the future. This was their duty. A goal incomparable to Rome's empty dreams of world domination.
"Don't think I'm giving in. I just want to avoid senseless sacrifices."
"I... too."
"Mash."
She glanced at Ritsuka, silently asking him not to worry. She was his Servant. Protecting the Master was her sacred duty. Mash raised her shield. She could fight. If she used her Noble Phantasm...
"Oh-oh, I thought something serious was going on here, but it seems you're completely stuck."
A familiar voice made them turn around. Before Ritsuka and Mash stood the Druid. His appearance meant only one thing...
"Well done. The plan succeeded. The Queen's main forces are already approaching. But you, I see, haven't reached the Emperor yet."
The Druid sharply threw off his camouflage cloak.
A blue-haired man in azure robes. His scarlet eyes, fixed intently on Chiron, glowed with confidence, and his fingers clutched a staff inscribed with runes.
"Servant Caster. So, you are my opponent now?"
"Ha! Of course. It would be more fun with a spear, but even as a Caster, you're no match for me!"
[This appearance! Of course! Servant Caster, true name – Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn, Master of Runes!]
Hearing Romani's exclamation, Cú Chulainn merely grinned playfully.
"Hey, friends from Chaldea! If your legs still carry you, get out of here quickly. It's about to get... hot here!"
Cú Chulainn drew a rune in the air, and flames erupted around Chiron. But the centaur created a powerful gust of air with a sharp kick, instantly extinguishing the fire.
"Well, well. A mage of ancient Celts. A battle of magic and martial arts... This promises to be interesting."
"It would be more fun with a spear, but what can you do. Let's find out whose divinity is stronger!"
Cú Chulainn and Chiron simultaneously lunged at each other, and the battle raged with renewed intensity.
***
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