Lin Qi's luck was both good and bad.
His good luck lay in the fact that after being sent flying by Altera's [Photon Ray], and after the brief duration of [Escapist] ended, he did not become lodged in a wall or the ground.
Instead, after being sent flying backwards by the momentum, he quickly broke free from the torrent of light that was [Photon Ray].
Then, he probably passed through a section of earth or a wall, and just as [Dodge] was deactivating, he crashed into a relatively safe space.
The bad luck, however, lay in this—Lin Qi was buried in what was likely rubble caused by Romulus's Noble Phantasm earlier.
A Rune used for illumination cast a faint glow in the pitch-black space, lighting up Lin Qi's dust-covered face.
Dust continuously fell downwards, landing on Lin Qi's hair and body.
'I have to go back... I have to go back... Nero still needs me over there...'
But Lin Qi acted as if he didn't see it, panting heavily, his eyes fixed intently on the stone slab above him, constantly trying to move it with his hands.
The experiences from the previous Singularity, and the sacrifices of Jing Ke and Spartacus this time—everything played out before his eyes as if it were happening now—Lin Qi did not want to lose any more comrades, even if they were just Servants.
The flesh on his fingers split open, and the blood that seeped out left bright red fingerprints on the stone slab with his movements.
Yet it failed to move the slab even a fraction.
Lin Qi's arms and legs were already weakened; a stone he could normally move aside with ease now felt as heavy as Mount Tai to him.
His magical energy had also bottomed out due to the uninterrupted high-intensity combat.
Causing the illuminating Rune to flicker on and off, as if it might go out completely at any second.
This space wasn't large, probably a household's cellar. Some parts had already collapsed, and rubble of various sizes had tumbled in, barely giving Lin Qi enough room to stretch his body.
One could truly say, he cried to heaven but heaven did not answer, he called to earth but earth did not respond.
The enclosed, narrow space made Lin Qi unbearably anxious and panicked. His breathing grew heavier and heavier, and the movements of his hands unconsciously sped up.
Blood gradually smeared the stone slab above, the slippery sensation making it difficult for his fingers to get a good grip.
But Lin Qi seemed unaware, still repeating the same motions.
Only, unbeknownst to him, tears had begun to glisten in his eyes.
Memories he didn't want to recall surfaced incessantly in this all-too-familiar predicament.
Those were the days spent lying alone in bed recuperating from his injuries at Chaldea, when loneliness and a sense of suffocation drowned him like a tide.
That was the anticipation, looking up at the doorway to his room time and again, hoping someone would come see him.
It was also the disappointment and tears shed after countless waits.
More than once, Lin Qi wanted to activate [Dodge] and flee from this rubble in the blink of an eye.
But the stabbing pain in his head and the convulsions in his heart made it impossible for him to use this one ability that belonged to him.
He... was trapped here.
Finally, the light of the Rune went out.
The narrow space returned to darkness.
Lin Qi's movements froze.
Warm tears instantly broke free from the corners of his eyes, continuously dripping onto the dust below, becoming enveloped by the dust and turning into little gray beads.
All the strength in his body seemed to have been completely drained. His head fell powerlessly onto the stone beneath him.
Muffled sobs echoed softly in the darkness.
'I'm so scared... Won't someone please come save me...'
Fear had now overwhelmed the will to protect in his heart, so go ahead and say Lin Qi was both fragile and useless.
It's not like in many people's eyes he's just a crybaby, right?
"Crash—"
A rapid and intense sound suddenly reached Lin Qi's ears.
Before Lin Qi could react, the wind from a massive stone being lifted suddenly rushed in.
The stones, large and small, that had been blocking his way were all swept away in an instant.
Fresh air poured into the narrow space, a gentle breeze stirring Lin Qi's hair.
Bright sunlight shone on his face and body.
Making Lin Qi, who had jerked his head up, somewhat unaccustomed. He could only blink repeatedly, trying to see clearly what was happening outside.
"My (Rome) child, stand. I shall lend you the power of [Rome]."
Bathed in sunlight, a sturdy figure holding a strange weapon reached out his hand to Lin Qi.
A familiar voice. Lin Qi, enduring the discomfort in his eyes, looked through the sunlight and finally saw clearly the person standing before him.
Red and gold color scheme, dark skin, the wound on his chest constantly emitting golden sparks of light...
The Founder of Rome, Romulus.
He had not died in the combined assault of Lin Qi's trio, but had hidden himself away.
Waiting until now.
"Go, use my (Rome's) power to accomplish what you must."
Romulus wore a gentle smile, his broad hand placed right in front of Lin Qi.
Lin Qi was stunned.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in those brief seconds, only to be instantly wiped clean.
Do all you important figures like to play games like this...
Finally, he let out a smile as if a great weight had been lifted.
Lin Qi placed his hand into Romulus's hand.
...Whatever. You can play however you want. I'll just focus on what I need to do right now.
————
Romulus had already vanished.
His power had entered Lin Qi's body without reservation.
"So this is the true power of Romulus Quirinus?"
He had held back. He truly had held back.
Feeling the explosive power within his body, which even surpassed Siegfried's by a considerable margin, Lin Qi had no doubt about how long his own meager efforts could have lasted against Romulus.
Maybe about five seconds?
Once [Dodge]'s duration reached its limit, he would have been pummeled to death on the spot.
Even with Nero assisting, the outcome likely wouldn't have changed.
He shook his head, trying to dispel all the random thoughts in his mind.
Using the excellent perception granted by Romulus's Saint Graph, Lin Qi easily detected the three figures locked in fierce combat just outside the United Army Capital.
They were Nero, Altera, and one unfamiliar Saint Graph reaction.
"If this power is so immense, then it should be fine if I use it a bit willfully, right?"
Lin Qi murmured to himself, looking at the Founding Spear in his hand.
Then, slowly, he pointed the Founding Spear towards the sky.
"[All Things Lead to My Spear (Magna Voluisse Magnum)]!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, countless trees broke through the earth, emerged from the ground, growing wildly, proliferating madly!
In an instant, they formed a dense forest, enveloping Lin Qi within.
Suddenly, the growth of the forest paused.
Then, with even greater speed, it began growing skyward incessantly, as if urgently competing with the sun for its light.
Countless trees intertwined and spiraled, like shooting stars flying in reverse, carrying Lin Qi straight towards the heavens.
In a remarkably short time, a single heaven-reaching giant tree stood tall within the United Army Capital.
Meanwhile.
The interception battlefield on the distant plains.
"Give up. You cannot stop me."
Altera swung her Photon Sword, its rainbow-colored light easily repelling Nero and Boudica.
Looking at the white-haired girl's calm expression, who hadn't even assumed a proper stance, the expressions on both their faces were far from good.
Altera, empowered by the Holy Grail, was absurdly strong. With just the two of them, they could barely even hinder her movements.
Even though Altera was more focused on her mission and didn't seem to take the two of them seriously.
Nero did not respond, instead glancing at the banner in her hand.
How can you say such a thing... Do you have any idea the resolve it took for me to come here without a moment's delay to stand in your path?
She planted the banner, which felt unwieldy in her hands, into the ground.
Nero's eyes became unwavering. Gripping her sword with both hands, she earnestly assumed a stance.
"No matter what, I will not allow you to advance a single step further!"
"Indeed, stop wasting your breath. At this point in the battle, what ground is there left for us to yield?"
Boudica also prepared to use her Noble Phantasm at any moment, her gaze grave as she watched Altera's movements.
All necessary probing was complete.
Next, it was likely time to decide the outcome...
"...Civilization?"
As if sensing something, Altera suddenly looked up at the sky.
The two were taken aback and couldn't help but follow her gaze upward.
It was like a pillar supporting heaven and earth collapsing. A shadow vaster than a mountain range was "slowly" descending towards them.
Visible currents of air tumbled violently on either side of the colossal object. Just looking at it was enough to comprehend the immense weight and destructive power it contained.
"That's—My Maestro?!"
Nero, with her sharp eyes, spotted Lin Qi standing atop the verdant green canopy, her face instantly lighting up with joy and surprise.
She didn't even stop to ponder why Lin Qi was making an entrance in this manner.
"Fool! Nothing could survive being hit by that thing! We need to run, now!!"
Fortunately, Boudica's intelligence was still online. She grabbed Nero and pulled her outside the area covered by the shadow.
'What a strange civilization...'
Altera stood still, lost in thought, not moving an inch. She merely pointed the Photon Sword in her hand at the descending heaven-reaching tree.
"Whatever civilization it is, it must be destroyed."
Rainbow-colored light began to erupt. The patterns on Altera's body began to glow.
Under Lin Qi's control, the heaven-reaching tree continued to grow even as it fell precisely towards Altera's location.
From his high vantage point, Lin Qi could clearly see Altera's actions.
"Destroyer of Civilizations, is it..."
—Then I will use the power of [Roman Civilization] to oppose you!
The trees manifested by Romulus's Noble Phantasm were not merely simple vegetation; they were also a manifestation of Rome's past, present, and future form. In a sense, it could indeed be considered half a civilization.
There was no time for either side to hesitate.
The heaven-reaching giant tree crashed down. The rainbow-colored light of [Photon Ray] also washed over the "giant tree" at its maximum output.
...