Olga Marie Animusphere POV
"Is there still no word on those four?"
Hinako crossed her arms. "I asked Boudica, and she sent some people out, but there's still no word."
"Great, just…great." I wanted to throw my arms up. What happened? Why did they just disappear? It's already been two days, and there's still no sign of them anywhere! "If it weren't for you reassuring Caster that you still had a connection to Avenger…."
Hinako snorted. "That Fox isn't stupid; she's only…half crazy. She's worried, but she won't do anything bad."
Well, good to know she's only half as crazy as I thought she would be.
Three of the Masters had disappeared now.
This was getting ridiculous.
"We can't wait any longer. Medea!" I called out.
"I'm here." The Witch came over. "I got all the equipment ready, and everyone's dressed and ready to go."
I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. "I guess we just have to trust them. Come on, everyone, load up; we're heading out!" I ordered, and immediately everyone started moving.
It wasn't just us either; it was Boudica's people too, who were a nice help in moving everything.
"Medea, how's the connection with Chaldea?" I asked.
The witch popped her head out from behind a few boxes. "It should be stable enough; I managed to get my hands on some stuff to help with the connection." She shot a thumbs up.
I nodded, thankful that Medea was so adept at these sorts of things.
I would need to get Da Vinci working on better communication systems before the next singularity.
Thankfully, right now, it wasn't quite a matter of life and death. I was still anxious, but against all common sense, we weren't marching to a fight but to a…music competition, essentially.
Or dance.
It didn't specify either; it's just that the emperor, Nero, was known for her dancing, singing, and acting.
I nodded at Hinako, who wasn't too happy, but she looked good in her clothes, honestly. Beggars couldn't be choosers here; if I had any kind of musical talent or didn't have two left feet, I would have volunteered myself just to buy time as well.
That, and I wasn't good in front of crowds.
I fixed the hat on my head; it made me feel a bit less uncomfortable about everything. This was most certainly not what I expected when it came to a singularity resolution.
And I had a feeling that this was going to be a new case study going forward if Chaldea exists after the Singularities are finished.
I found a truck with some room next to Hinako and hopped into it as well, eyeing Tamamo-no-Mae as she climbed into the back too.
Thankfully, servants seemed to be supernaturally beautiful. It would be irritating if it weren't helpful.
God, what's the world come to when I'm hoping that she manages to seduce members of the crowd into her favor with her looks?
After everything important got loaded up, our little caravan started moving.
I could literally see the strobe lights shining into the sky from this part of the city. I don't think I'll ever get used to this kind of scene in literal ancient Rome.
It was so surreal that my mind refused to process it every time I saw it.
I was expecting…resistance as we passed through the streets. There were plenty of Romans—legionnaires, military people—who just watched us pass, not even glaring or seemingly wanting to start firing at us.
It was a massive difference from our first arrival here. Heck, even the stray servant—Boudica—was utterly nonplussed by the casualness, like this was normal.
The minutes forward stretched on to make my anxiety and nervousness even worse. I felt that pit in my stomach as we finally got close to the massive theater that looked more like a sports stadium.
There was no doubt in my mind that it could seat tens of thousands. And of course, it was being recorded; they had filming equipment, somehow.
The first trucks finally stopped, and there were people blocking the back entrance to the loading of the Roman stadium… colosseum, whatever this would be called.
"Hinako, Caster, follow me." I got out of the truck and walked up to the front, where we were being blocked. "Is there a problem?" I called out.
There was a man, in a toga, with gold inlays and a wreath around his head. He looked important and had that annoying facial expression that read, "I'm important too." I knew it all too well from having to deal with people of similar status to myself.
"Names?" He asked casually.
"Chaldea." I crossed my arms. "We should have been registered."
"Hmm."
Register…that's seemingly all we had to do….
"These wagons all yours?" He asked.
I frowned and could guess that they're still used to calling these automobiles 'wagons.' "Yes."
"What's on them?"
"Staff, performance equipment, costumes." I stated. "Do you need to check—"
"Alright, I made a note; you're welcome inside." He gestured to the others, and they all stepped out of the way.
Hinako was at my side, Caster a few feet away.
I stood there silently for a moment as the Roman guards—security—uncaringly went back to whatever it is they were doing, utterly ignoring us.
"D-did they just let us in without a second thought?" I asked towards Hinako.
Hinako just shrugged helplessly.
This was infuriatingly easy.
I keep expecting something, but they're all but welcoming us with open arms.
It was way too weird!
I just shook my head and went back to the truck, and they slowly inched inside. True to what was said, no one stopped us, and no one came to annoy us or try and throw their weight around.
As soon as we got out again, I found Boudica. "Why did they just let us in so easily? I thought we would have had to fight or at least force our way inside?"
Boudica looked at me and snorted once. "Oh, they stopped caring awhile ago. Do you think this is the first time Nero did something like this? This is just a fun performance for them at this point since it's been a while since she's had so many 'challengers.' They don't think we can win, and for them, it's fun to watch."
I don't know if I should be thankful or angry at this. On one hand, this makes it easier; on the other, I hate being underestimated in anything.
Forget it, we had more important things to focus on.
"Alright everyone, we need to get things set up; we're on a tight schedule!" I started shouting. "And does someone have a list for who's going first?"
"Umu, I have one right here!"
"Thank you." I turned to the person handing me a piece of paper, and I froze. There was a woman standing next to me, a woman who looked almost exactly like Saber. Except she was wearing bright red, and she had a see-through window on both the front and back of her dress that left very little to the imagination. "Bwah!?" I nearly jumped back.
"Ah, you must be surprised to see me in person." She let out an exaggerated sigh. "To see my brilliant star so up close, you are blessed!"
"Y-you… You're Nero!" I couldn't help but raise my voice, and everyone stopped what they were doing to stare.
She put her hands on her hips. "Of course, I am Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Emperor of Rome!" She declared, and then did a spin on her heel, showing off. "You may bask in my splendor!"
"...what?"
"You must be those people from this 'Chaldea' I've heard about?" She stopped her posing and playing. "A wonderful tale! I've heard about people from a different time coming here to challenge the likes of me!"
…that's not what's happening.
"To come so far and cross so much distance just for the chance to stand on the same stage as myself, I'm touched, truly."
…not even close.
"I welcome you to my stage! I hope to see a wonderful performance from all of you, even if you will not win!" She spoke as if it were guaranteed. "Oh, and it's my old friend! Boudica, have you come to try and defeat me again!?"
"Go die," Boudica responded.
"Umu!" It was as if she didn't even hear what was said. "So spirited!"
Is this real?
"Here is the schedule for tonight!" She tossed the paper out casually, and I made sure to grab it. "Your team will go first; I reserved three slots for you as requested. Then it's that despicable snake who dares to challenge me again! Hmph, but fear not, I won't be defeated by a mere goddess, for even Venus weeps when I perform!"
"Wait, what's this about a goddess?" I asked.
"Please be ready in an hour; our audience is already being seated!" She ignored me completely and walked away.
"...What just happened?" I felt like I was caught up in a whirlwind that swept me up and then spat me out without warning.
"Yeah, that's Nero." Boudica replied. "You get used to it."
"How?"
"You could kill her a bunch of times like I did; that does wonders for your anger and grudges."
I shook my head; no time to think about that. "Medea, how are preparations going?"
"We're getting the pyrotechnic devices up and running; the smoke machines and the light show should be good to go."
"What about the …" I made an explosion gesture with my hands.
"Wasn't my job. I do have something, but after talking with Da Vinci, we scrapped the idea after some debate that it may be considered 'cheating' in the context of 'performance.'"
Great, so we're still waiting on the others, but we're already out of time. They should have been here by now and setting things up beforehand!
We're pretty screwed here.
"Director!"
"Mash!?" I called out as I recognized the voice.
Mash and Ritsuka came running over.
"Director!" Ritsuka called out too.
"You both are okay!?" I was happy to see they weren't in a bad spot. "We couldn't find you. What happened!?"
"Well, it's a long story." Ritsuka scratched his head. "Mash saved me, then we ran and hid for a while, ran around some more, and then we met a friend!"
"That would be me, I presume." A dry but angelic-sounding voice appeared next to them, like an assassin stepping out of the shadows.
A Servant.
Short, pink hair had an otherworldly feeling.
"Director, meet Assassin." Ritsuka smiled, gesturing to her. "She's a Servant that's been in the Singularity, and she agreed to help us. When I heard that Chaldea was performing, I asked her to help too."
I could feel my mouth hang open. "You did all of that just randomly?"
"...yes?"
"How did you recruit her?" I felt my sanity slipping.
"Oh, her real name is Stheno. I mentioned how we ran into her sister in the other Singularity and about our situation, and she agreed to help as long as we tried to summon them both afterwards." Ritsuka smiled brightly.
Stheno gave a casual but dismissive wave.
"A goddess?"
She's the sister of Medusa.
"You can kiss my feet, I suppose, if you're into that." The servant sighed.
I felt my eye twitch.
How did he recruit a goddess so easily!? Did I hear that she was impossible to track down and all these other rumors from Boudica?
Okay.
Okay.
This is good; don't dwell on the details. One more person to help is always good!
It doesn't matter how Ritsuka fumbled into a literal goddess listening to him and following along with him.
I checked the list for the turn order.
Spartacus was going first, then it was Hinako, then it was Tamamo, then it was Stheno, and last was Nero.
Okay, we have a chance here.
At the very least, a goddess should be able to compete with Nero in some sort of singing or dancing competition, right?
I am so far out of my comfort zone that I'm just hoping for the best.
"Then Assassin, do you need help with anything, any setup?" I asked.
She rolled her eyes at me, and I felt my own eye twitch. "I can handle it all on my own; it doesn't matter what you all do." She waved her hand dismissively.
Ritsuka smiled awkwardly.
I took a deep breath. "Ritsuka, Mash, you both are with me for now; try not to get in the way of anything.
"Yes, Director!" Ritsuka nodded. "Where are Samuel and Pierre and the others?"
"They…disappeared a couple days ago; we've been waiting for them to get back." I grit my teeth in annoyance. "But that doesn't matter right now. Medea, status!"
"Most of the equipment is set up!"
"Caster?"
Hinako came up to me. "Tamamo is doing some last-minute preparing, fixing her makeup and such."
"And how are you? Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." She grunted.
I looked around and found Boudica and Spartacus approaching as well. "Are you two ready?"
"The big man here has been preparing for this for a long time." She smacked Spartacus's shoulder.
The massive muscle mountain was wearing a very large purple frilly coat that looked…odd, yet also somewhat flamboyant in a good way.
"Step aside, oppressors!" Spartacus declared. "It's time for me to dazzle the stage!"
...
"Don't forget your hat, Spartacus!" Boudica held up a fedora for him, and he happily took it.
"...Director, what's going on?" Ritsuka asked.
"I honestly have no idea anymore.
Instead, I just watched from the backstage as Spartacus stepped out.
"Time?" I asked.
Medea came gliding over. "Thirty seconds before the curtain pulls up. We finished just in time, but still no sign of the others."
I sighed. "Then we'll have to do what we can here. Let's hope we can pull something out of our hats."
"Um, Director, what's going on? What's the plan?" Mash asked.
I shook my head. "It doesn't matter at this point; we just have to hope for the best. Medea, link up with Da Vinic."
"On it." She used her custom-made Mystic Codes, and Da Vinci appeared on a small screen.
"Oh, is the show about to start? Mash, Ritsuka, it's good to see you both again!"
"Da Vinci!" They both greeted her happily.
"Hush, it's starting." I quieted them.
The curtain pulled up, and Spartacus took a pose.
There was immediate noise, applause, and cheering as the curtain was raised, but it quieted down as he didn't move.
Then, a faint beat started playing.
Spartacus, with an oddly graceful ease, began to dance.
I admit, I didn't expect something like that from a man of that size, but each step of his was…dare I say, pleasant to watch?
Like a Broadway dancer, but made of a mountain of muscles.
"Not bad." Da Vinci noted.
"Umu, he's good."
I nearly jumped out of my skin as the Emperor was back.
"Oh, other people, hello fellow appreciators of art!" Nero greeted them.
"Um….hi?" Ritsuka waved.
"And my rival." She narrowed her eyes at Stheno.
Stheno scoffed. "As if."
"Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
They both didn't seem to get along with each other.
"Yes, yes, that grace and those strong but gentle movements, wonderful, wonderful!" Nero clapped. "As expected of a fellow Roman!"
"Isn't he trying to rebel and overthrow you?" I looked at her incredulously.
"What does that have to do with his skill and grace at the art of dance?" Nero tilted her head.
What's wrong with this place?
The music slowly started to change, becoming more bombastic, with drums and thumping.
He took off his coat, and my jaw dropped.
"...oh my." Nero whispered.
"Eh!?" Mash squeaked out, turning bright red.
"Director!?"
"What the hell am I looking at?" Hinako also chimed in.
Because under his coat he was wearing nothing but…a thong, a male thong.
And suddenly, his dances became much more suggestive.
"...."
It was a song that wouldn't be out of place at a strip club!
"Is he…twerking?" Ritsuka whispered.
"Yes, yes, he is." I confirmed as the large man made of muscle had his rear turned towards the crowd and was shaking it. "And the crowd loves it."
Shame? Horror? More Shame?
I'm the Director of Chaldea; those are all secondary.
Shake your ass, Spartacus.
Because they were eating it up.
The crowd went wild.
At least half the crowd was female, but this was ancient Rome; a good portion of the men were into it as well.
After what felt like an eternity, his 'dance' finally ended. I don't know if I just finally lost the last bit of my sanity, but I nearly shouted for him to do an encore.
"Truly, he has the grace of Venus herself!"
"And a great ass." Stheno added.
"Umu, that as well." Nero nodded. "Truly, Rome herself quivers to the rhythm of his gluteus maximus!"
I couldn't even disagree.
"Bear witness, Rome—freedom is a revolution of the hips!"
Wait, there's the shame; it came back.
Poor Mash was covering her face.
"I'm kind of glad I don't know what's going on now." Ritsuka muttered.
How I envy you.
Spartacus walked back towards us, not even bothering to cover up. "My revolution is complete!" He stated as we all stared at him.
"Good job, Spartacus." Boudica cheered for him.
"Bravo, wonderful!" Nero, despite being his enemy, still cheered for him as well. "What a wonderful performance; I could feel the emotions!"
And everyone watched him sway his muscular hips as he walked away.
"Hinako, get ready; you're up next." I looked towards her.
"Can I back out?"
"No." I had to watch that muscular giant shake his ass for ten minutes; you're getting up on that stage even if I have to drag you.
"It will be difficult to beat that performance!" Nero put a hand on Hinako's shoulder. "Good luck to you."
"...Are you making fun of me? I can't tell."
"No, why would you think that?" Nero tilted her head in confusion.
I shook my head and stepped back; I needed…some fresh air. A lot of fresh air, and mostly a few cigarettes.
They didn't even notice as I sneaked away. But I heard a distinct change in tone, and the cheers died down; Hinako must have taken the stage.
I quickly reached into the hat that Wilhelm left me and pulled out my pack of cigarettes and quickly lit one up to calm myself down.
This entire thing makes me wonder how things would have turned out if it were the A-Team.
Would I have seen Wodime on stage trying to perform? Admittedly, the thought tickled a part of me I hadn't anticipated.
I could hear the distinct sound of a string instrument. I did hear that she and Medea managed to make a zither together after some trial and error; I assume that's what I'm hearing. I wouldn't know; I've never heard a zither played before.
Though, that suddenly got drowned out by the sound of screeching tires and a truck that burst through the gate.
I stood up because I recognized who was driving. "Saber? Pierre? Avenger? Samuel!?" I called out to them.
"Director!" Samuel called back. "Sorry we got here as soon as we could."
"Where were you? You just disappeared for days!!!" I screamed at them. "Why do you all look like that? Is that a tan? Why are you covered in sand and dirt!?"
"We ran into Colt. Saber said he had something called a Reality Marble; we were stuck inside for a few days until it ran out." Samuel anxiously explained.
"A Reality Marble!?" I exclaimed. "How!?" I stopped. "Actually, I don't care right now; we might still have a chance. Hinako is performing now; if we rush, just maybe we can have things set up. Did you get the stuff?"
"We got it, Director; it's in the back—36 barrels of black powder, enough to blow the entire stage and plenty more up." He nodded.
"Take my hat and sneak under the stage to set it up." I tossed it to him despite it being important to me. "Pierre, you're up. You're our bomb expert. Make sure it blows while Nero is on stage. Here's the turn order to time it." I tossed him the piece of paper as well. "
"Yes, Director!" The two of them ran to shove all of the barrels presumably in the space inside the crate to carry it easier.
"Where's Colt now?"
Saber shrugged.
Great, whatever, I don't care.
"He didn't appear to be willingly cooperating; thus, I wouldn't assume he would be our enemy tonight even if he were present." Saber revealed.
There was an…odd tone in her voice.
It lacked her usual bite.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I looked at her.
She snapped her head at me but didn't say anything particularly cold and simply huffed.
"She's been mopey ever since we got sucked up into that Reality Marble." Avenger snorted. "Apparently, the brat almost died because she wasn't paying attention, so she's been acting like that."
"Shut up." Saber scowled, but Avenger just rolled her eyes.
"We do not have time for your attitude; get the hell inside and watch for the enemy servant." I glared at both of them.
Saber seemed surprised at me being so direct. She grunted and didn't argue as both servants went inside.
Good, at least they know to listen properly.
I quickly followed after them just as I stomped on my cigarette.
I got in there just as Hinako had finished her performance and Tamamo was taking the stage. From the looks of things, Hinako's performance wasn't as applause-worthy as Spartacus, but it was for the purpose of stalling.
"What's this!?" Nero's voice carried over, and now Saber and she were standing face-to-face.
Oh no.
"Yes, yes, I see. Clearly, you're a distant relative of mine! Umu, of course, we're nearly similar!" The emperor walked around her as Saber remained completely still. "Almost; the chest and rear are lacking, but we're nearly identical. How magnificent!"
"Pfft." Avenger barely held back a laugh.
Saber's eye was twitching rather violently. "Cover up! Are you trying to look like a whore!?"
"Hmph, my dear relative, there is much for you to learn. Of course, I dress like this because it's my duty to show off such magnificent views!" She unashamedly did a twirl as her assets were all but on display, barely covered in her dress. "I want my adoring audience to see."
Saber flushed a deep red. "I—I can see your ass!"
Nero smirked. "I know."
… I don't think I've ever seen Saber act like this.
Thankfully, the next performance started.
Some sort of modern pop song? I wasn't very well versed on what people listen to these days; I was always too busy to care.
But Tamamo started dancing and singing to a song not in English, and it was…catchy.
And she certainly had the aura of a performer; I could see that much. She had that charisma about her that made her the center of attention.
Medea looked at me and made a gesture with her hands, and I nodded in confirmation that the plan was back on.
She nodded with no words needed to be said.
The crowd definitely started eating it up, but I was having trouble focusing on it because my mind was elsewhere.
Specifically, it was on the barrels of explosive underneath us right at this moment that could potentially go off and kill us all.
But I tried not to think about that bit.
"Yes, yes, wonderful again! Such talented performers—I'm lucky to have so many amazing performances before I get on stage!" Nero clapped happily as Tamamo's song was winding down.
Despite it being a foreign language, it definitely carried a certain energy to it that could get anyone caught up in the performance.
She returned to us, out of breath, a little sweaty, but still bubbly as ever.
"How was that? Where's my master? Did he see my performance!?"
"Um…he heard it?" I offered.
She did a little fist pump. "I'll go back and clean myself and wait for him!"
"I like her." Nero nodded to herself as Tamamo trotted away. "Her tail also looks fluffy. Umu."
"Stheno, you're up next." Ritsuka gave her a thumbs up and a smile. "Good luck."
Right, the last performance before things are set into motion. Time is tight, but I think we might be able to make it if she can draw out a full 'performance' during her turn.
Stheno flipped her hair back. "Easy." She said as she shot a look at Nero, who silently fumed.
I don't know what's going on between them, but they're apparently at odds.
Unlike before, there was no setup, no music, and no dramatic stage effects to accompany her as she walked out onto the stage.
She said she didn't need any help, so I'm anticipating a good performance.
Everyone was silent as they stared at her; even the crowd was oddly quiet.
"Hehe~" She let out a chuckle that made my back tingle in a bad way. "Are you ready? [Smile of Stheno]."
She floated up, and an aurora of colors burst out, and an effect swept over the entire arena. I nearly stumbled, my eyes unfocused, and I felt some strange thoughts in my head, but I wasn't in the direct effect of it, so I could shake it off.
I realized what she did.
If there was a sort of silence before now, it became eerily silent.
She held out a hand. "Clap for me, mortals. Worship your new goddess."
In unison, they clapped, making it all the more eerie.
"...she used her Noble Phantasm, some sort of charm effect." Da Vinci noted from her end.
"It's based on her status as a goddess. It's a diminished form of her authority." Medea added.
Stheno stood on stage and just basked in the unnatural 'praise and applause.'
"C-cheater!" Nero screeched, pointing at her. "You cheater, you no-good snake!"
"Hehe~" Stheno just smiled smugly. "I win."
"Hmph!" Nero took out…where was she hiding the Grail? "Cheaters are banned from my performances!"
Stheno's eyes widened as the Grail burst out with light, and the charm effects on everyone in the audience immediately broke.
After a moment or two, it seems like they regained their minds and quickly came to somewhat understand what happened.
Then, the booing started.
It was loud.
Then, they started throwing things.
I think Stheno was utterly confused at the booing, because she stood still as a tomato hit her right in the face.
Stheno let out a shriek of anger and confusion as she ran off the stage…in the other direction.
"...was she supposed to be our trump card?" Avenger asked.
"Yes." I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
"...I'm sorry." Ritsuka said quietly.
"It's not your fault." I reassured him; he did his best.
"How annoying! It was a wonderful evening, full of heartfelt and vivid performances by talented artists!" Nero huffed indignantly. "I suppose it's time for me to end it then. I will recapture the audience's hearts." She put one hand on her chest and the other to the sky as if proclaiming to the gods.
I bit my lip because we needed more time; there was no sign of those two idiots, which means they were still working.
"Wait!" I cut her off. "It's still our turn, right? We…can put someone else up real quick…?"
"Hmm, do you have someone else? It better be a good performance; if not, I'm half a mind just to retake the stage proper and turn it into my theater to salvage what's left of the night." Nero put her hands on her hips.
"...Ritsuka or Mash, please tell me if either of you can sing."I asked them.
They both shook their heads.
Dammit.
Could I fake it? Pretend to sing or shrill my way to stall for time?
"...I'll do it."
I stopped dead in my mental tracks and turned to Saber, who just spoke. "Come again?"
Her nostrils flared as she crossed her arms. "I said I'll do it; don't make me repeat myself again."
There was a beat of silence because none of us expected her to volunteer for something like this.
"Magnificent! So my distant relative is also a pursuer of the arts!" Nero broke the awkward silence.
"Wait, that's a bad—" I was about to interject, but Saber stomped forward and grabbed the device projecting Da Vinci from Medea's hands and, without hesitation, stomped onto the stage.
"—Idea." I watched her go.
I blinked because the mood shifted and the lights changed. Did she know that the device she grabbed was linked to the stage effects and the music?
She walked up to the microphone, and I could faintly see lyrics presented from Da Vinci's end.
A piano started, slow.
~Wise Men Say…Only Fools Rush In…~
The moment her voice sounded out, the crowd silenced, and even I felt a jolt.
~But I… can't… Help, I'm falling in love with you.~
She was good; she was really good. The slow piano riffs and the genuine and soft tone of her voice—I could feel the words reverberate in my chest.
~Oh…. Shall I stay? Would it be… a sin?~
~Oh, if I….. can't….. help falling in love with you?~
Gone was her brash and abrasive attitude; all that was left was a soft and melodic voice. Maybe, there was even a hint of shyness to accompany it as she flushed under the gazes of so many people.
~Like a river flows, surely to the sea.~
~Darling, so it goes; some things are meant to be.~
"...she's good." Ritsuka whispered.
"I've never seen her show this much expression before." Medea bit her thumb. "It's so cute."
"...Beautiful." Nero spoke up. "Simply beautiful. She sings so deeply from the heart; I can feel the love and passion from her soul."
Avenger looked at her, opened her mouth like she wanted to say something snarky, but closed it and looked back at Saber singing.
…why is she so good at this?
"Wow!" Pierre exclaimed.
"Amazing." Samuel said so as well.
I think all of us were in awe.
"Which person here is she thinking about when she sings, I wish to know." Nero looked around. "Come, let me see the object of her affection; I wish to know who my relative feels so deeply about!"
"That's…he's not here." Samuel said softly.
"A shame." Nero sighed.
Who 'he' was didn't need to be said. There was only one person whom Saber treated differently than everyone else.
~Take my…hand. Take my whole…life too~
~Oh, for I can't…. Help Falling in Love with you~
The climax wasn't loud or bombastic; there was no drop or peak. It ended on the same light, soft, and gentle note as the entire song.
Even as she finished, there wasn't an immediate response. It started slow with a few claps, then it intensified, and the stadium rumbled from the sheer amount of applause happening.
"Bravo, bravo!" Nero ran onto the stage towards her. "Truly a wonderful performance, I'm awed, flustered and ashamed to admit, that when it comes to the matters of the heart….I find myself….lacking compared to you. Your song was like a dagger in my breast, and I, Nero Claudius, was slain most beautifully!"
I blinked for a moment, then realized something was out of place. "Samuel, Pierre?"
"Yes?"
"Qui?"
When did they get here!?
"...did you finish with the thing?" I asked.
There was a single moment, and their eyes widened.
Samuel took out a small watch from his pocket and suddenly became frantic. "Run!"
"Oh putain!" Pierre yelled too.
"You idiots!" I shrieked as we all bolted out of the building, and seemingly everyone followed as they saw us panic.
That is, everyone but the people still on stage.
We got out and ran as far away as possible, and not moments later a thunderous explosion rang out, and a heat wave and sound wave knocked us off our feet.
I slid across the ground and hit a nearby car; a flaming piece of wood nearly impaled my head.
My head rattled and spun at the concussive force. I barely looked back to see the stage, the backstage, and the areas behind it all up in flames, turned to a pile of wreckage, and completely on fire and turned to ash.
…Saber was still inside.
"Owww…" Ritsuka groaned, getting up off the ground with Mash supporting him.
"I hate you both so much." I groaned as well, pushing myself up.
"Did we win, director?" Samuel climbed to his feet, then nearly fell over.
The crowds in the audience were running in the opposite direction; they weren't particularly inside the blast range, thankfully.
It was centered under the back stage, and expanded out from there to the main stage.
Out of the burning rubble, someone came walking, pushing through wood and stone.
Saber.
And she had a very unpleasant look on her face. Her dress was singed and burnt, her hair was a mess, and her face was covered in ash, but her eyes radiated a very specific kind of death in them.
But, surprisingly, she carried the Grail with her.
She tossed it to the ground in front of us, wordlessly.
"...did you get the Grail from the plan working or winning the 'competition'?" Medea asked.
Slowly, Saber turned to glare at her, and Medea shrank back.
"I will…not hold anyone accountable." Saber said quietly, but the clear firmness in her voice made it hard to reply back. "In return, we will never speak of this again."
"Deal." I brushed myself off and stood up properly. "Mash, contact Roman, Rayshift us home."
Because I needed a drink.
[Line Break]
A/N
I've been wanting to finish this up for a bit, and since the main chapters weren't really left on a real cliffhanger, I figured it was a fine spot, especially since it's been a bit since the last interlude. I wanted to do it all at once because I didn't think the side adventures of them in rome needed more than 3-4 chapters. It's important to round out the FGO storyline for the main story, but it's not that important.
If you're wondering about the song, it's 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Haley Reinhart.
As I told someone else, the PHO chapter will be right after this train arc.
I didn't mean to post an interlude right after a Spooder chapter, but this was actually supposed to be posted before last main chapter and I got it mixed up :p.
Anyways, this came because I had people asking me about chaldea and I wanted to wrap up their little side adventure as it does eventually correspond to the FGO down the road.
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
I also have a boosty if you can't use the above under the same name.