with newfound instinct, using his balanced Type synchronizations in harmony. When Scáthach's spear thrust toward him with lethal intent, his Mercury crystallization formed a defensive barrier while his Pluto boundary defined exactly where the barrier needed to be strongest. When she unleashed a barrage of shadow-spears from multiple angles, his Venus-derived awareness of transformation patterns allowed him to predict their trajectories while his Saturn temporal shell gave him the extra fraction of a second needed to respond.
They moved through the twilight landscape like figures in some primordial dance, neither fully dominating the exchange. Where Scáthach had overwhelming skill and experience, Kazuki countered with his increasingly diverse arsenal of Type-derived abilities. What began as a desperate defense on his part gradually evolved into a more balanced exchange, his confidence growing with each successful application of his harmonized authorities.
"Enough," Scáthach declared finally, her spear stopping a hairsbreadth from Kazuki's throat after breaking through a crystalline barrier he'd erected a fraction of a second too slowly. "You've progressed adequately."
Kazuki lowered his arms, breathing heavily from exertion. Despite the physical drain, his mind felt clearer than it had since Orleans—the chaotic push and pull of competing Type influences now settled into a more coherent whole.
His interface confirmed the transformation:
[TRAINING ASSESSMENT COMPLETE]
Pluto Synchronization: 2.45% → 3.17% (Final)
Venus-Pluto Conceptual Balance: Maintained
Administrator Integration: 94.7% (Improved)
Evolution Phase: 1 Complete / Phase 2 Initializing
"Phase 2?" Kazuki questioned aloud, drawing a curious look from Scáthach.
"Your system advances to a new stage?" she asked, her spear dematerializing as she approached.
"Apparently," Kazuki confirmed, studying the interface data. "The documentation mentioned four evolution phases. This seems to be the transition from the first to the second."
Scáthach's crimson eyes narrowed slightly. "Be cautious. Evolution rarely proceeds in neat, predictable stages—particularly when it involves forces beyond human comprehension."
With those sobering words, she led him back to the standing stone circle where their training had begun. The runes carved into the ancient monoliths glowed brighter now, responding to Kazuki's enhanced Pluto synchronization.
"Our time here concludes," Scáthach announced, placing her hand on the central altar. "The Shadow Realm has served its purpose—you have achieved sufficient balance to proceed with your mission."
The misty landscape around them began to waver and dissolve, reality thinning as the connection to the Land of Shadows weakened. Kazuki felt a momentary pang of regret—despite the realm's unsettling nature, part of him had resonated with its liminality, its existence between states.
"Will I return here?" he asked as the stone circle faded from view.
Scáthach's expression remained enigmatic. "All who walk with death eventually pass through my domain, Kazuki Itsuki. The only question is whether they come as visitors or residents."
Before he could respond to this cryptic answer, normal reality reasserted itself with jarring abruptness. The modified training room in Chaldea reappeared around them, its runic arrays fading from active incandescence to dormant inscriptions. Dr. Roman and Da Vinci stood at the room's edge, monitoring equipment still active in their hands, expressions of relief evident as Kazuki and Scáthach fully materialized.
"Three days exactly," Roman announced, checking his watch with surprise. "You have perfect timing."
"Time flows differently in my realm," Scáthach replied, already reverting to her standard combat attire. "But I ensured our return would align with your expectations."
Da Vinci approached eagerly, scanning devices humming as she circled Kazuki. "Remarkable! Your spiritual signature has completely reconfigured. The Venus-Pluto balance is..." She paused, studying the readings with widened eyes. "It's perfect. Conceptual equilibrium achieved with mathematical precision."
"How do you feel?" Roman asked, his medical concern evident as he began his own examination.
"Balanced," Kazuki replied simply. "Centered in a way I haven't been since the system first activated."
The debriefing that followed was extensive. Director Olga's hologram joined them in the command center, her analytical mind dissecting every aspect of the Land of Shadows training. She seemed particularly interested in the "Phase 2" designation Kazuki's system had displayed.
"What exactly does this new phase entail?" she demanded, digital eyes narrowed with suspicion and curiosity in equal measure.
Kazuki consulted his interface for details:
[PHASE 2: MASS SIMULATION]
Definition: Enhanced ability to simulate and reproduce observed phenomena
Key Developments:
- Stats approach Servant levels
- Type Authority application becomes more robust
- Ability to temporarily combine Type influences for complex effects
Synchronization Range: 3-8% across multiple Types
"It seems to be centered around improved simulation capabilities," he explained, relaying the information. "My abilities become more stable, more powerful, and more adaptable as the synchronizations deepen."
"Approaching Servant levels," Olga repeated, focusing on that particular detail. "You're saying you could potentially match a Heroic Spirit's parameters?"
"In limited ways," Kazuki clarified. "It doesn't mean I become a Servant—just that certain parameters could reach comparable levels during specific applications."
This revelation prompted a lengthy discussion about tactical applications and potential risks. Throughout, Kazuki noticed Ritsuka watching him with quiet attention—not fear or suspicion, but thoughtful consideration. When the formal debriefing finally concluded, Ritsuka approached as the others dispersed.
"You seem... different," he observed. "Not just your abilities, but something about your presence."
Kazuki nodded, appreciating his friend's perceptiveness. "The Land of Shadows changes visitors. Scáthach said it's because we confront fundamental truths about existence there—boundaries that most people never have to acknowledge."
They walked together through Chaldea's corridors, heading toward the cafeteria. After three days in the twilight realm, Kazuki found himself craving simple, normal human experiences—food, conversation, the mundane routines that anchored one to humanity.
"The next singularity has been identified," Ritsuka mentioned as they walked. "Rome, around 60 CE. Emperor Nero's reign."
Kazuki processed this information, his interface automatically searching his knowledge base for relevant historical context. "That's a pivotal era—the early Roman Empire at its height, Christianity just beginning to spread..."
"Da Vinci says the distortion is centered around Rome itself," Ritsuka continued. "SHEBA detected multiple Servant signatures, including what appears to be a living Emperor Nero."
"Another altered history," Kazuki mused. "I wonder which Type authority might dominate there?"
Before Ritsuka could respond, they were intercepted by Mash, who hurried toward them with unusual urgency.
"Senpai! Itsuki-senpai!" she called. "Da Vinci needs you both immediately. There's been a development with the Rome singularity."
They followed Mash to Da Vinci's workshop, where the Renaissance genius was studying a complex holographic projection—a swirling vortex of data representing temporal distortions.
"Ah, perfect timing!" Da Vinci greeted them, gesturing toward the display. "We've detected a pattern in the Rome singularity that differs significantly from Fuyuki and Orleans."
The hologram zoomed in, revealing what appeared to be a mathematical model of energy flows.
"Unlike previous singularities that centered around a single distortion point, Rome shows multiple nucleation sites," Da Vinci explained. "It's as if something—or someone—is deliberately creating redundant anomalies."
"Making it harder to correct with a single intervention," Ritsuka surmised.
"Precisely," Da Vinci confirmed. "But that's not the most concerning part." She adjusted the display to highlight a particular energy signature. "We've detected traces of the same pattern Carmilla mentioned in Orleans—evidence of a Grand Caster's influence."
Kazuki studied the pattern, his enhanced Formula Recognition ability allowing him to see nuances that might escape others:
[FORMULA ANALYSIS]
Pattern Type: Temporal Distortion (Engineered)
Authority Signature: Divine/Conceptual
Complexity Level: Beyond Standard Servant Capacity
Likely Origin: Grand-Class Entity
Suspected Type Resonance: Jupiter (Authority/Rule)
"Jupiter," Kazuki murmured, drawing surprised looks from the others. "The pattern suggests Jupiter authority—rule, governance, divine right. Fitting for Rome."
Da Vinci's eyes widened with understanding. "Of course! Jupiter was the king of Roman gods—his authority would naturally resonate most strongly in the heart of the empire named for him."
"Does this mean Kazuki will develop Jupiter synchronization in this singularity?" Ritsuka asked.
"It seems likely," Da Vinci nodded. "Each singularity so far has corresponded to a dominant Type authority. Fuyuki was primarily Mercury with undertones of Moon and Saturn. Orleans was overwhelmingly Venus with Pluto as counterbalance."
This realization prompted immediate preparations. If Kazuki would potentially develop Jupiter synchronization—authority over gravity, domain, and rulership—then specialized training and equipment modifications would be necessary.
The next few days passed in a blur of activity. Da Vinci redesigned Kazuki's Mystic Code to better accommodate potential gravity manipulation, while Scáthach continued his training with exercises designed to prepare his system for new Type integration. Child-Gil, surprisingly, offered his own insights into Jupiter authority, drawing on his vast knowledge of divine powers from his treasury.
Throughout these preparations, Kazuki spent time with Ritsuka and Mash, strengthening the bonds that had formed during their previous missions. His evolving condition had created a subtle distance between himself and the other staff at Chaldea—most viewed him with a mixture of awe and wariness—but Ritsuka remained steadfastly unchanged in his treatment, a grounding influence amidst Kazuki's accelerating transformation.
The night before their scheduled Rayshift to Rome, Kazuki found himself unable to sleep. His interface displayed unusual activity:
[ADMINISTRATOR NOTIFICATION]
Dream Interface Connection Request
Source: Unknown (Non-System)
Accept? [Y/N]
Intrigued and slightly concerned, Kazuki mentally selected "Yes," curious about what entity might be attempting to communicate through his dream space—the crystalline realm where he typically interfaced directly with his system.
As consciousness faded into the dream state, however, he found himself not in the familiar geometric landscape of his interface, but in a strange, distorted version of Chaldea's command center. The room was empty of people but filled with an eerie blue light that seemed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere simultaneously.
At the center where the SHEBA globe normally rotated stood a figure—humanoid but indistinct, its features constantly shifting as if unable to settle on a single form.
"Hello, Anomaly," the figure greeted, its voice a disconcerting blend of tones and timbres. "At last we meet directly."
Kazuki's dream-self remained cautious, instinctively activating his Mercury crystallization as a defensive measure. "Who are you? How are you accessing my dream interface?"
The figure's approximation of a face formed something like a smile. "I am what you might call... a concerned observer. As for how I'm here—dreamscapes are more permeable than most realize, especially for those who exist partially outside conventional timestreams."
A chill ran through Kazuki as understanding dawned. "You're the Grand Caster. The one behind the singularities."
The figure neither confirmed nor denied this, its amorphous form rippling with what might have been amusement. "I am one who sees possibilities—both those that should be and those that should not. You, Kazuki Itsuki, are a fascinating variable in equations that should have fixed outcomes."
"What do you want?" Kazuki demanded, expanding his crystalline barrier.
"Want? Such a limited concept." The figure drifted closer, seemingly untroubled by the barrier. "I'm merely satisfying curiosity about an anomaly that rivals even my own interference in history's flow."
The dream-Chaldea around them began to shift, walls dissolving to reveal glimpses of other times and places—a burning Rome, a storm-wracked sea with a golden ark, a futuristic city crumbling into ruin, and other vistas too bizarre to comprehend.
"Your Ultimate-Type System," the figure continued, "is not what you believe it to be. Its purpose extends beyond merely saving human history. Ask yourself—why would the Root create a mechanism for human synchronization with planetary beings? What game is truly being played?"
"You're trying to manipulate me," Kazuki realized, studying the entity's fluctuating form more carefully. "Sowing doubt about my purpose."
The figure's approximation of laughter filled the dreamspace. "Manipulation is such an inelegant tool. I deal in revelations—truths presented at precisely the moment they create maximum possibility." It drifted back, the many scenes of destruction fading. "Rome awaits you, Anomaly. Jupiter's domain calls to your evolving system. When synchronization occurs, remember this conversation—and consider whose designs you truly serve."
Before Kazuki could respond, the figure dissolved into motes of blue light, and the dream began to collapse around him. As consciousness returned, one final message echoed through his mind:
"Potential futures branch from your every choice, Kazuki Itsuki. The question is not whether you will change history, but whether you will recognize when you are being used to do so."
Kazuki awoke with a start, his interface flashing urgent warnings:
[SECURITY BREACH DETECTED]
Dream Interface Compromised
External Entity: Traced (Partial)
Classification: Grand-Class Servant (Caster)
System Scan: No Persistent Intrusion Detected
The encounter left him deeply unsettled. If the Grand Caster could access his dream interface—supposedly the most secure aspect of his system—what other vulnerabilities might exist? More disturbing were the entity's cryptic statements about the system's true purpose and the suggestion that Kazuki might be an unwitting pawn in some greater design.
Despite his misgivings, Kazuki decided against reporting the dream encounter immediately. Without concrete information about the Grand Caster's identity or intentions, sharing vague warnings would only increase anxiety among Chaldea's already-stressed leadership. Instead, he resolved to remain vigilant in Rome, watching for signs that might confirm or refute the entity's insinuations.
The morning of the Rayshift arrived with bustling preparation. The team assembled in the transfer chamber—Ritsuka and Kazuki as Masters, accompanied by Mash, Scáthach, and the newly summoned Servants Nero had managed to call forth: a taciturn Archer identified as the legendary hero Arash, and a flamboyant Saber who called himself Gaius Julius Caesar.
"Rome!" Caesar exclaimed enthusiastically upon learning their destination. "My beloved homeland! Though I must admit, visiting during Nero's reign will be... interesting. That theatrical upstart always did have a flair for the dramatic."
As the Rayshift sequence initiated, Kazuki found his thoughts returning to the dream visitor's warnings. Jupiter synchronization awaited him in Rome—another step in his evolution beyond human parameters. Another Type authority that would reshape his understanding of reality.
The question remained: was he following his own path, or one designed for him by forces beyond his comprehension?
Blue light enveloped the team as the quantum tunnel opened, converting them to spiritrons for the journey through time. Kazuki's interface displayed the familiar Rayshift preparation sequence, with one notable addition:
[RAYSHIFT IMMINENT]
Spiritual Core Conversion: Processing
Destination: Rome, 60 CE
Divergence Rate: 83.7%
Type Resonance Detected: Jupiter (Dormant)
WARNING: External Observation Detected
Source: Unknown
Classification: Beyond Standard Parameters
They were being watched. As Kazuki's consciousness hurtled toward ancient Rome, he couldn't shake the sensation of eyes following their journey—calculating eyes belonging to an entity that moved pieces on a board encompassing all of human history.
The game, whatever it truly was, had only just begun.
Chapter 9: The Tyranny of Rome
Rome in the first century CE was a sensory assault—a cacophony of sounds, smells, and sights that dwarfed anything in the modern world. The Eternal City sprawled across its seven hills in magnificent chaos, marble temples and monuments rising above densely packed insulae where the common people lived. The air carried a complex mixture of cooking fires, exotic spices, animal waste, and the distinct metallic scent of blood from the gladiatorial arenas.
The Chaldea team materialized in a quiet olive grove just outside the city walls, their arrival masked from casual observation by the trees and the deepening twilight. As reality solidified around them, Kazuki's interface immediately began analyzing their surroundings:
[ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT]
Location: Rome Outskirts, Via Appia approach
Time Period: 60 CE (Divergent Timeline)
Magical Saturation: 137% above historical norm
Anomalous Energy Signatures:
- Servant-class (Multiple, concentrated in city center)
- Divine Manifestation (Weak but present)
- Jupiter Authority (Environmental, diffuse)
"The city is saturated with magical energy," Kazuki reported, scanning the massive walls and the golden glow of Rome beyond them. "Far more than should exist in this era."
Caesar, adjusting his ornate armor with practiced dignity, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Rome in my day—or rather, a century before my day—had little true magecraft. Some priests practiced divination, and certain mystery cults had rudimentary rituals, but nothing that would register at these levels."
"SHEBA detected multiple Servant signatures concentrated around the imperial palace," Mash added, consulting a small communication device. "And something else... energy patterns consistent with divine manifestation."
"Actual gods?" Ritsuka questioned, his expression concerned. "Is that possible in this era?"
"In proper history, the Age of Gods was already fading by this period," Scáthach replied, her crimson eyes scanning the city with predatory focus. "But a sufficiently powerful Holy Grail could potentially reverse that decline, temporarily allowing divine spirits limited manifestation."
As they discussed approach strategies, Kazuki felt a subtle but distinct pull from the direction of the city—a resonance with his dormant potential for Jupiter synchronization. The sensation was unlike anything he'd experienced with previous Type authorities, less an analytical connection and more a recognition of inherent dominion, as if the very concept of rulership was calling to something within him.
[JUPITER RESONANCE DETECTED]
Initial Response: Passive
Authority Domain: Governance/Dominion/Gravity
Synchronization Status: Dormant (Activation Potential High)
"We should avoid the main gates," Caesar advised, gesturing toward the smaller postern entrances used by suppliers and servants. "My countrymen were notably suspicious of foreigners, and our attire would immediately mark us as such."
"We need local clothing," Ritsuka agreed. "And information about what exactly has changed in this timeline."
Their first objective became clear—acquire appropriate disguises and establish a base of operations from which to gather intelligence. With Caesar's knowledge of ancient Roman customs, they identified a likely target: a merchant's villa near the city walls where clothes and supplies could be "borrowed" with minimal disruption.
The approach to the villa proceeded smoothly, with Arash providing vigilant overwatch from a nearby olive tree while the others slipped through the property's modest garden. The household appeared to be preparing for an evening meal, servants bustling between kitchen and dining area, providing cover for their infiltration.
"Storerooms would typically be located near the back," Caesar whispered, guiding them along the villa's periphery. "Clothing for guests might be kept there, particularly if the merchant hosts foreign visitors."
They located the storeroom without incident, finding an assortment of garments suitable for their purposes—togas and tunics for the men, stolas and pallas for Mash and Scáthach. As they changed, Kazuki noticed Caesar examining a collection of scrolls and tablets stored alongside the clothing.
"Interesting," the Roman general murmured, unrolling one partially. "This merchant appears to be involved in imperial logistics. These are supply manifests for the legions, but..." He frowned, studying the document more closely. "This makes no sense. It references the 'Ninth Expedition against the United Empire.' Rome had no such campaign during Nero's reign."
"United Empire?" Ritsuka questioned, adjusting his unfamiliar toga. "What's that?"
"That's just it—no such entity existed," Caesar replied, setting the scroll aside with growing concern. "Europe was divided among various tribal confederations, with Rome as the dominant power. A 'United Empire' as described here would be a major power rivaling Rome itself."
This discovery prompted a more thorough search of the merchant's records. Within minutes, they uncovered disturbing evidence of how significantly history had diverged in this singularity. According to the documents, Rome under Emperor Nero was engaged in a massive war against a "United Empire of Western Asia"—an impossible confederation of Persians, Parthians, and other eastern peoples who were historically bitter enemies.
More concerning were references to "divine generals" leading both Roman and United Empire forces—entities described in terms that clearly suggested Servant-class beings or even manifested deities.
"The singularity is far more severe than we anticipated," Mash concluded as they reviewed the findings. "This isn't just an altered reign of Nero—it's a completely reimagined geopolitical landscape with supernatural elements openly integrated into the conflict."
As they completed their disguises and prepared to enter the city proper, a commotion erupted in the villa's main courtyard. Peering carefully through a window, they witnessed the arrival of Roman soldiers—not ordinary legionaries, but the distinctive crimson-cloaked Praetorian Guard, the emperor's elite forces.
"The noble house of Gaius Petronius is hereby requisitioned for imperial service," announced a centurion, his voice carrying the unquestionable authority of the emperor. "All able males are conscripted effective immediately. The divine Emperor Nero Claudius requires additional forces for the final campaign against the United Empire."
The merchant and his household staff prostrated themselves before the imperial guards, their terror evident even from a distance. The Praetorians proceeded to inventory the villa's resources and interrogate the male servants about their capabilities.
"Conscription on this scale suggests desperation," Caesar whispered, his political mind analyzing the scenario. "Nero must be preparing for a decisive battle."
"We need to leave," Scáthach advised. "If the Praetorians conduct a thorough search, our presence will be discovered."
They retreated quietly through the garden, retrieving Arash from his lookout position before making their way toward a different entrance to the city. As they traveled, Kazuki felt the Jupiter resonance growing stronger with each step toward Rome's heart. His interface updated constantly:
[JUPITER AUTHORITY INCREASING]
Environmental Exposure Effect
Current Status: Pre-Synchronization Adaptation
Gravitational Sensitivity: Enhanced
Dominion Recognition: Activating
The new perceptions were subtle but profound. Kazuki began to sense the gravitational relationships between objects—not just their physical weight, but how they influenced the space around them. More strangely, he could somehow perceive the chains of authority and command flowing through the city—from emperor to prefect to centurion to common soldier, or from patrician to client to slave. Rome's elaborate social hierarchy manifested as visible lines of influence and obligation, a complex web of dominion that defined the empire's very nature.
"Are you alright?" Ritsuka asked, noticing Kazuki's distraction as they approached a smaller gate into the city. "You seem... elsewhere."
"Jupiter authority is beginning to affect my perception," Kazuki explained quietly. "I'm seeing Rome's power structures as tangible connections."
"Is it overwhelming?" Concern colored Ritsuka's voice.
"Not yet," Kazuki assured him. "It's actually providing useful tactical information. I can identify officials by their authority signatures, see which guards might be susceptible to bribes or intimidation based on how weakly they're bound to the command structure."
This new perception proved immediately valuable as they reached the gate. The guards there were nominally vigilant, but Kazuki could see their tenuous connection to their superiors—career soldiers assigned to a dull post, their commitment to duty frayed by repetition and neglect.
"Allow me," Caesar said, stepping forward with the easy confidence of someone accustomed to command. Though his face was partially concealed by a hood, his bearing and voice carried unmistakable authority. "Merchants returning from Ostia with news for the urban prefect. The matter concerns grain shipments for the upcoming campaign."
The guards hesitated only briefly before waving them through, more interested in resuming their dice game than thoroughly questioning late arrivals. As they passed through the gate into Rome proper, Kazuki heard one guard mutter to another: "Something familiar about that fat one. Reminds me of the statues in the Forum Julium."
Once inside the city, they needed safe accommodation and better information. Caesar guided them toward the Subura district—a densely populated area where foreigners and travelers could blend in more easily. There, he knew of several inns that catered to merchants from across the empire.
"The Sleeping Dolphin has private rooms and a reputation for discretion," he explained as they navigated narrow streets teeming with life despite the late hour. "The owner, if history remains consistent in this regard, has connections to various information networks."
The inn proved to be exactly as Caesar had described—a modest but clean establishment with a bustling tavern on the ground floor and private rooms above. Using coins they had "borrowed" from the merchant's villa, they secured two adjoining rooms and settled in to plan their next steps.
Gathered around a rough wooden table with a map of Rome that Caesar sketched from memory, they compared the intelligence gathered from the merchant's records with their mission parameters.
"The central distortion appears to be the war itself," Mash observed. "This 'United Empire' never existed in proper history, nor did Rome have the capacity to field divine generals."
"And yet," Caesar added thoughtfully, "the empire's internal structure seems largely consistent with historical records. Nero rules, the Senate functions, the Praetorians serve as the emperor's personal force. It's as if someone grafted a mythological war onto actual history."
"Which again suggests the Grand Caster's influence," Ritsuka noted. "Creating specific distortions rather than wholesale alterations."
As their discussion continued, Kazuki felt a sudden spike in his Jupiter resonance—a powerful pull from the direction of the Palatine Hill, where the imperial palace stood. His interface flashed an urgent notification:
[MAJOR AUTHORITY MANIFESTATION]
Location: Imperial Palace
Classification: Divine-Servant Hybrid
Jupiter Resonance: Critical (Synchronization Imminent)
"Something's happening at the palace," Kazuki reported, rising to his feet. "A massive surge in Jupiter authority."
Almost immediately, the sounds of commotion reached them from outside—trumpets blaring, soldiers shouting orders, citizens rushing through the streets. Arash, who had been keeping watch by the window, confirmed the disturbance.
"Imperial heralds are announcing something," he reported. "The citizens are gathering in the direction of the Forum."
They quickly donned their disguises again and joined the flow of people heading toward Rome's center. The crowd's energy was a mixture of excitement and fear, rumors passing from person to person in urgent whispers.
"The Emperor addresses Rome!" "The final battle approaches!" "Divine reinforcements have arrived!"
The Forum Romanum—Rome's political and religious heart—was already packed with citizens when they arrived. Surrounding the open space, the Praetorian Guard maintained order with stern efficiency, their polished armor gleaming in the torchlight. At the far end, upon a hastily constructed but elaborately decorated platform, stood a figure that immediately commanded attention.
Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was nothing like historical descriptions. Instead of the middle-aged, troubled ruler history recorded, this Nero appeared as a young woman of extraordinary beauty, dressed in an elaborate red and gold dress that combined imperial Roman regalia with theatrical flair. Her short blonde hair was crowned with a golden laurel wreath, and her voice, when she raised it to address the crowd, carried with supernatural clarity.
"Citizens of Rome! My beloved people!" she proclaimed, arms spread wide in dramatic gesture. "Your Emperor brings glorious news! This very night, blessed Jupiter himself has answered our prayers and sent divine assistance for our final campaign against the United Empire!"
The crowd roared its approval as Nero gestured to her right, where another figure stepped forward—a tall, imposing man with a majestic beard, dressed in gleaming armor adorned with lightning motifs. Even at this distance, Kazuki could sense the overwhelming Jupiter authority emanating from him.
"Behold!" Nero continued. "The divine general Romulus Quirinus, Father of Rome, returned to lead our legions to victory!"
The man raised a golden spear, and actual lightning arced from its tip to the night sky, eliciting gasps and cheers from the assembled citizens. The display was no mere theatrics—it was genuine divine power manifesting in an era where such things should have been impossible.
Kazuki's interface responded dramatically to the display:
[JUPITER SYNCHRONIZATION ACTIVATED]
Trigger: Divine Authority Manifestation (Romulus Quirinus)
Initial Sync: 0.01% → 0.78% (Accelerated Response)
Authority Recognition: Domain/Gravity/Divine Right
Warning: Servant-Divine Composite Entity Detected
The sudden synchronization was both exhilarating and disorienting. Kazuki felt the weight of Rome itself pressing against his consciousness—the gravitational mass of a million people unified under imperial authority, the conceptual dominion of an empire that had defined civilization for centuries. Jupiter's domain was fundamentally about rulership—the right and capacity to impose order on chaos, to declare "this is" and make reality conform.
"That's not just a Servant," Kazuki whispered to the others as they watched from within the crowd. "He's a divine spirit manifesting through a Servant vessel—something that should be impossible without a Holy Grail."
"Romulus Quirinus," Caesar murmured, his expression a complex mixture of awe and concern. "The deified aspect of Rome's founder, after his ascension to godhood. In life, Romulus was merely a king. In myth, after death, he became a deity representing Rome itself."
On the platform, Nero continued her speech, outlining plans for a final, decisive campaign against the United Empire. According to the emperor, their enemy had gathered its forces at a location called "the Boundary" where a decisive battle would determine the fate of all civilization.
"Tomorrow, we march to glory!" Nero declared. "With divine Romulus Quirinus leading our forces and your beloved Emperor commanding the reserve, Rome shall triumph as it always has!"
The crowd's reaction was delirious adoration. Whatever this version of Nero lacked in historical accuracy, she more than compensated for with charisma and theatrical presence. The citizens of Rome clearly adored their eccentric emperor, their faith in her leadership absolute despite the existential threat she described.
As the imperial procession prepared to return to the palace, something unexpected occurred. Nero's gaze swept across the crowd—and abruptly fixed directly on their group. Despite the thousands of people present, despite their careful positioning away from the front, the Emperor's green eyes locked onto them with unmistakable recognition.
"There!" she called out, pointing directly at them. "Those strangers! Bring them to me at once!"
The Praetorian Guard moved with practiced efficiency, cutting through the crowd toward their position. Escape through the densely packed Forum was impossible without causing a scene that would only confirm their importance.
"We can fight our way out," Scáthach suggested, her hand moving to the concealed weapon beneath her garments.
"And become enemies of Rome instantly?" Caesar countered. "Better to play along for now. Nero may be eccentric, but she is not inherently cruel. She will grant an audience before deciding our fate."
With few viable alternatives, they allowed the Praetorians to escort them through the crowd and up to the imperial platform. Standing before Nero, the difference between historical accounts and this singularity's reality became even more pronounced. The Emperor was young—perhaps in her late teens or early twenties—with a vivacity and theatrical flair that commanded attention.
"Umu!" Nero exclaimed, studying them with open curiosity. "My imperial instinct never fails! You are no ordinary travelers, are you? I sense... possibility around you. Opportunity! Drama!" She circled them dramatically, red dress swirling. "Especially you," she added, stopping directly before Kazuki. "You carry something familiar yet strange. A divine echo, but not like our blessed Quirinus."
Romulus Quirinus, who had been observing silently, now stepped forward. His overwhelming presence caused even the Praetorians to step back reverentially. Up close, his divine nature was undeniable—his skin had a subtle golden glow, and his eyes held the infinite depth of cosmos.
"This one," he declared in a voice that resonated with divine authority, pointing to Kazuki, "carries Jupiter's mark, though differently than I. An interesting paradox."
The situation was deteriorating rapidly. Their cover was compromised before they had even begun their investigation, and the divine presence of Romulus Quirinus made any deception virtually impossible. Kazuki felt his newly established Jupiter synchronization responding to the divine spirit's proximity, growing stronger by the moment:
[JUPITER SYNC INCREASING]
Current: 0.78% → 1.27%
Response To: Divine Authority Proximity
Warning: Detection Risk Increasing
"We have a choice to make," Ritsuka whispered to the group. "Try to maintain our cover with an explanation, or reveal our true purpose and seek alliance."
The decision was made for them as Nero clapped her hands decisively. "To the palace! My imperial curiosity demands satisfaction! You shall dine with your Emperor tonight and explain yourselves properly!" She turned to the crowd with a flourish. "Citizens of Rome! Prepare for tomorrow's triumph! Your Emperor mustThrough the chaos, Kazuki felt a familiar sensation overtaking him—the system pushing beyond its limits, flooding his consciousness with raw conceptual power. Unlike in Fuyuki, however, he remained conscious, though every nerve ending screamed in protest. His interface flickered rapidly, warnings and alerts blending into an incomprehensible storm of information:
[SYSTEM CRITICAL OVERRIDE]
Multiple Type Authorities in Resonance Cascade
Venus: 3.11% → 4.27% → 5.01% (Uncontrolled Growth)
Mercury: 3.56% → 4.32% (Compensating)
Moon: 0.89% → 1.73% (Responding)
Saturn: 0.57% → 1.25% (Temporal Shell Activating)
Pluto: 0.13% → 0.87% (Boundary Reinforcement)
WARNING: Administrator Integration at Risk
Phase 1 Parameters Exceeded
Emergency Stabilization Required
The explosion's shockwave expanded outward, a ripple of transformation energy that warped everything it touched. Stone became flesh, then crystal, then something for which Kazuki had no words—matter caught between states of being. The tower itself seemed to be collapsing inward and expanding simultaneously, physics surrendering to the chaos of uncontrolled Venus authority.
Within the protective sphere created by Joan's banner and the Servants' combined defenses, Kazuki struggled to maintain his sense of self. The Venus synchronization was pushing dangerously high, threatening to overwhelm his human consciousness with alien planetary logic.
Purpose, Joan had said. Remember your purpose.
Through the haze of pain and system warnings, Kazuki focused on that single thought. He was here to protect human history. To save Chaldea. To help Ritsuka, Mash, and the others fix the singularities.
No concept, no power, no transformation could be allowed to interfere with that purpose.
With tremendous effort, he reached mentally for his interface controls, forcing a command through the chaos:
[ADMINISTRATOR OVERRIDE]
Emergency Pattern Lock: Initiated
Type Venus Synchronization: Capping at Current Level
Divergent Energy: Redirecting to Stabilization Matrix
Integration Priority: Identity Preservation
The effect was immediate—like a pressure valve releasing. The excess Venus energy that had been flooding his system now redirected outward, crystallizing around their protective sphere. The translucent crystals caught the chaotic transformation waves from the explosion, refracting them harmlessly into higher dimensional space rather than allowing them to propagate through normal reality.
"It's working!" Martha called out, her holy staff adding its power to the defensive barrier. "The explosion is being contained!"
The crisis point lasted perhaps thirty seconds, though to Kazuki it felt like hours. Finally, the energies began to dissipate, the Grail fragment's power exhausted by the Dragon Witch's final attack. As the chaos settled, they could see that the tower chamber had been utterly transformed—much of it simply gone, with open sky above where there had once been a roof and walls.
Of the Dragon Witch, nothing remained save a small pile of black ash on the altar where the Grail fragment had been. The fragment itself had cracked down the middle, its corrupting power neutralized by the backlash of its own ritual.
"Is everyone alright?" Ritsuka asked, lowering his arm as the Servants dropped their protective measures.
Mash was the first to respond, her shield dissipating as she returned to Ritsuka's side. "I believe so, Senpai. The combined defenses held."
Around them, the other Servants were assessing the damage. Child-Gil appeared completely unfazed, brushing dust from his golden armor with casual disdain. Scáthach's eyes were narrowed in calculation as she scanned the chamber for any remaining threats. Martha was already moving to check on Kiyohime, who had sustained minor injuries in her battle with Hassan.
Kazuki remained kneeling where he had fallen, his system still recalibrating after the emergency override. The interface was gradually returning to normal function:
[STABILIZATION IN PROGRESS]
Venus Synchronization: 5.01% (Locked)
Other Type Connections: Balancing
System Integrity: 78% and Rising
Administrator Identity: Preserved
WARNING: Sync Lock is Temporary Measure
Full Integration Required within 72 Hours
"You did it," Joan said quietly, approaching Kazuki. She had returned to her fully human form, her armor scorched but intact, her banner once again in her hand. "The ritual has been disrupted and the Grail fragment purified."
"We did it," Kazuki corrected, accepting her offered hand to stand. His legs felt unsteady, but the system had protected him from the worst of the physical strain. "Your Noble Phantasm was what saved us from the explosion."
Joan smiled slightly. "A collaborative effort, then." Her expression grew more serious as she studied him. "But the cost to you was significant. Your aura has changed... expanded."
Before Kazuki could respond, a groan from the far side of the chamber drew their attention. One of the Dragon Witch's court—Carmilla—was still alive, though badly wounded. Her elegant Victorian dress was in tatters, and the grimoire that had been the source of her transformation magic lay in ashes at her side.
Scáthach was beside the fallen Servant instantly, her crimson spear at Carmilla's throat. "Move and you die, blood witch."
"Kill me... if you wish," Carmilla rasped, her voice barely audible. "It changes nothing. He has already... achieved what he wanted."
"Who?" Ritsuka demanded, approaching cautiously. "Who was behind all this?"
Carmilla's lips curved into a bloody smile. "The Grand... Caster. He who sees all possible futures. This was merely... a test. A single move in his... greater game."
"Grand Caster?" Mash echoed, her expression confused. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Joan said gravely, "that a far more powerful entity was manipulating events from the shadows—one with the ability to see and influence multiple timelines."
Kazuki's interface processed this new information:
[INTEL UPDATE]
Entity Classification: Grand Servant - Caster Class
Threat Level: Unknown (Beyond Standard Parameters)
Potential Identities: Insufficient Data
Warning: Grand Servants represent apex manifestations of their class
Carmilla coughed, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "He promised me... eternal beauty. The Dragon Witch... was merely his pawn. As was I." Her eyes were beginning to fade. "Beware the man... who stands outside time. He plays with history... like a child with toys."
With those enigmatic words, Carmilla's body dissolved into golden particles, returning to the Throne of Heroes as her corrupted Saint Graph finally collapsed.
"A Grand Servant," Child-Gil mused, his childish face unusually serious. "That would explain how this singularity was created with such precision. Only a being of that caliber could manipulate a Grail fragment to manifest an Alter class without being present."
The revelation cast a somber mood over their victory. If a Grand Servant—among the most powerful entities in the Nasuverse—was behind the distortions in human history, their mission had just become significantly more complicated.
"We should return to Chaldea," Ritsuka decided after a moment. "Dr. Roman needs to hear about this development."
Joan nodded in agreement. "The singularity will correct itself now that the corrupting influence has been removed. France will continue on its proper historical path." She turned to Kazuki. "Though I fear the changes within you may not be so easily reversed."
Kazuki glanced at his interface status, noting the locked Venus synchronization at over 5%—far higher than any of his previous Type connections. "Some transformations only move forward, never back," he acknowledged quietly.
Joan's expression was sympathetic. "Remember what I told you about purpose. It remains your anchor, no matter how far you evolve beyond human parameters."
As they prepared to leave the ruined tower, Gilles de Rais and a contingent of resistance fighters arrived, having fought their way through the now-leaderless dragon forces. The general's eyes filled with tears at the sight of Joan—the true Joan—alive and victorious.
"My lady," he breathed, dropping to one knee before her. "You have saved France once again."
Joan touched his shoulder gently. "Rise, old friend. The battle is won, but my time in this world grows short. The singularity's correction will soon return me to the Throne."
"Must you go?" Gilles asked, his voice breaking. "After losing you once..."
"History must follow its course," Joan replied with gentle firmness. "My execution at Rouen was tragic, but necessary for the legend that inspires faith across centuries." She turned to the Masters. "As for you, travelers from Chaldea—your path leads elsewhere. There are other singularities to correct, other distortions threatening human history."
Ritsuka nodded, accepting a communicator from Mash to contact Dr. Roman. After a brief exchange confirming their success and requesting Rayshift extraction, he turned back to the group.
"Chaldea will bring us back in approximately thirty minutes," he reported. "Dr. Roman says the singularity is already beginning to stabilize."
As they waited for extraction, Kazuki took a moment to examine the damaged Grail fragment on the altar. His enhanced Formula Recognition allowed him to see the complex patterns still etched into its surface—patterns that reminded him of the ones he'd observed in the Dragon Witch's transformation magic, but far more sophisticated.
[ARTIFACT ANALYSIS]
Object: Holy Grail Fragment (Neutralized)
Origin: Unknown (Not standard Holy Grail War derivative)
Modifications: Complex Command Structure (Reality Alteration)
Signature Detected: Consistent with "Grand Caster" reference
"Examining the weapon?" Scáthach's voice came from behind him. The Lancer had approached silently, her crimson eyes studying both Kazuki and the fragment with equal intensity.
"Trying to understand what we're really facing," Kazuki replied. "This fragment wasn't just corrupted—it was specifically programmed to manifest Joan's Alter form and execute a precise series of events."
Scáthach nodded, unsurprised. "A test, as the blood witch said. But a test of what? And for what purpose?"
"That's what worries me," Kazuki admitted. "My system can analyze the 'how' but not the 'why.'"
The Lancer's expression remained stoic, but her next words carried unexpected weight. "When we return to Chaldea, you and I will intensify your training. Your Pluto synchronization must increase to balance the Venus spike. Death and transformation—the eternal cycle that maintains universal balance."
Before Kazuki could respond, a familiar blue light began to envelop their group—the signature of Chaldea's Rayshift technology locking onto their spiritual signatures. The Orleans singularity was fading around them, reality reasserting its proper flow as human history repaired itself.
The last thing Kazuki saw before the quantum tunnel claimed him was Joan of Arc, her silver armor gleaming in the sunlight that now broke through the storm clouds, her hand raised in a final farewell. Then she too began to fade, returning to the Throne of Heroes as the singularity released its hold on her manifestation.
Purpose, her voice echoed in his mind as the Rayshift completed. Remember your purpose.