Clang!!!!!
Quirinus's red fist flash and my Caladbolg collide. In a Grand-class duel, the shockwave bends trees and shakes the ground. A magical storm with an impact that could send ordinary people flying.
Unarmed combat? I'm a swordsman. Although I myself am a sword... well, unlike Quirinus who has special abilities, it's more like bragging.
It means my body is strong... but against another Grand-class, that's nothing. As expected of the highest god, the power of the Grand Lancer with an EX divine core feels equal to mine... I must not make a single mistake.
I drew Caladbolg to fight seriously.
Then, his other fist glows red. That stance...
Clangclangclangclangclangclangclangclangclangclangclangclang!!!!!!!!!
{Nine Lives Roma} (Killing Hundred Heads - Roman Style)... Basically, it's a constantly active Noble Phantasm and his fighting style itself. I also use Killing Hundred Heads to cancel it out. With the wisdom of the demonic spear, I've seen and learned numerous techniques... but his proficiency feels superior.
So, his iron fist can't even be cut by Caladbolg.
"My heart pounds with tension... how about you, Quirinus?"
"... Are you not using your full power?"
"...."
"Draw it. The sword of Rome (the hero)."
"... If you say so. I'll show you. The sword that shows my true intent."
I put away Caladbolg and draw Caladbolg. The awl-like Caladbolg on my back transforms into a long, spiraled sword.
Then, as if he too intends to get serious, a yellow lightning bolt falls from the sky onto him.
Divine armor of the chief god... I don't have any special armor, though. Unintentionally, it's become an Ulster-style battle.
The preliminary skirmish is over for both of us. Now, without holding back, let's do this properly...
Clang!!!!!!!!
And without any signal to start, I immediately slash Quirinus with a serious one-sword strike. He dodges with his hand, and his red-glowing hand cancels out Caladbolg's one-sword strike. He receives the rotating spiral strike of Caladbolg and remains unharmed. A level that would shatter an ordinary heroic spirit on the spot... indeed, the class is different.
Well then, how about this...
"{Tsubamegaeshi} (Swallow Reversal)"
Kwaaaaa!!!
It's merely an imitation through the wisdom of the demonic spear, a multi-dimensional refraction certain-hit demon sword. My proficiency is still lacking compared to Kojirou himself... but now it properly connected.
Kwakwakkwang!!!
It was as if red lightning shot from his fist. A barrage like thunder echoing around cancels out my demon sword. My arm holding the sword is flung open, and Quirinus's fist strikes.
Thwack!!!
I immediately release one of my two hands holding the sword and strike his wrist with my hand. However, his fist shines, and a red fist flash pierces my abdomen. What power... a fist flash that reaches far and pierces everything is like this...! It feels like being pierced by lightning...!
Looking at his expression, he too has taken damage. His wrist might not be broken, but it's cracked to some extent.
Our distance is now extreme close range. Then...
"{Nine Lives Ulster} (Killing Hundred Heads - Ulster Style)"
"{Nine Lives Roma} (Killing Hundred Heads - Roman Style)"
Mine is just a technique. His is a True Name release of a Noble Phantasm. The barrage of fist flashes resembling spears of light is said to annihilate even lifeless monsters, emitting light into the starry sky... so, I must counter it.
"{Caladbolg} (Rainbow Sword)"
Pibbit──────
It happened in less than a second. Our mutual hundred-strike techniques collide with each other's fists (spears) and sword... and the world turns white.
Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!
A giant shockwave of pure white light erupts, and a spiral rainbow-colored light soars high into the sky.
"Kuhk..."
"...."
Both of us have taken considerable damage to our bodies. The impact alone is absurd. If there were ordinary Servants nearby, their spiritual cores would have been shattered just by being there... this is the combat of Grand Servants, the pinnacle of the heroic spirit realm. And this is just the beginning, damn it...
Our recent brawl has created a crater as if a meteor had fallen. The land shattered by the duel between me and Quirinus. Our common point is... that humans have reached the realm of gods?
There's no benefit in stalling time. I should just end it quickly. He too seems to have no intention of dragging out this close combat any longer. He flies high into the sky. At a speed akin to light... reacting won't be easy. The moment I slip up even slightly, I'll take a fatal hit. Is that a being capable of superluminal speed?
Overall physical strength, I have the advantage, but speed is on his side... and skill is almost equal. This is why geniuses who work hard are...
He spreads his arms, and a golden magic circle appears in the sky.
"Our arms reach all, cut all, and pioneer all. From my limbs, now emerge. The power to become a god, the power to become light, the power that will one day reach beyond the stars...!"
{Per Aspera Ad Astra} (Our Arms Pioneer All, to the Stars)... an EX-rank anti-planet Noble Phantasm... unlike mine which has anti-planet level destructive power only, a true anti-planet Noble Phantasm... one that targets stars.
The power of the Roman civilization itself... its destructive power transcends imagination. If used defensively, its power is said to double. It's a showdown. Whose power is stronger... a simple, clear output battle. Yet, I don't let my guard down. I'll release Caladbolg and at the same time, with Caladbolg, I'll take his heart.
He won't stay still either; as the magic circle descends, he'll fly at me. I'll counter and slash him...!
"{Per Aspera Ad (Our Arms Pioneer All──!"
"{Caladbolf Calad (Extreme・Rainbow──!"
At that moment... from the sky, a massive light falls.
"!!!"
"That is...!"
Kwaaaaaaaaaang!!!!!
Holy Spear・Rhongomyniad...
"Artoria...?"
The light of the holy spear targets only Quirinus.
The goddess's judgment falls upon the god of Rome. The holy spear presses down on Quirinus's magic circle. Quirinus's fist glows golden, canceling out the holy spear. Then, a brilliant light erupts, and the world turns white once again.
"This is..."
The result is, equal...
Each other's Noble Phantasms were nullified. Quirinus's Noble Phantasm, which he awkwardly switched to defense mid-use for attack, and the holy spear's power that seemed fired with true intent were mutually nullified.
"..."
Tap tap...
Quirinus brushes off the dust from his armor. No damage... due to cancellation. Am I really a broken character focused only on destructive power and skill...? In fact, looking at overall abilities as a Grand Servant, I'm in the lower ranks. Only destructive power and close combat ability are in the upper ranks.
Even if I fought using Caladbolg, at best I could tie with Quirinus... winning is difficult. Almost equal... since I have no special abilities... the difference is huge. If Scáthach came out as a Grand Servant, she'd be much stronger than me.
He looks at me with his brilliant ruby-like red eyes.
I grip Caladbolg and raise it again, but he speaks first.
"I have seen Rome's (your) will and conviction. I will respect Rome's (your) choice. However... if Rome (you) fails, I will end Rome's (Nero's) end. Shining Rome (human), do not forget that light."
"...."
Then, he soars brilliantly golden and disappears beyond the sky.
"Was I being tested... well, since I'm a bottom-tier heroic spirit among Grands, it's ridiculous..."
I don't want to admit it, but I have to... I only have destructive power, so it's pitiful. This is why born talents are different... the original Fergus himself is a power character... I can't change that either...
I move my steps to the chariot. Magical energy consumption was high... physical stamina too... the chariot is undamaged, and in the chariot, Nero was sitting, holding a golden cup, waiting.
"You're amazing. Fighting equally with the very god of Rome..."
"Well... it's closer to a loss, actually. I wasted 600 years. I think I understand Rock Lee's feelings. I was Rock Lee, not Might Guy."
"What nonsense is that?"
"It's something like that..."
No, but am I Guy...? Just strong without special abilities. I don't have those abilities... if I didn't have the wisdom of the demonic spear, I'd cry from frustration...
Compared to other Grands, I really seem lacking... Orion too, against demonic beasts & monsters, invalidates all defense skills & Noble Phantasms and attacks. All beasts are reduced to beings his hands can touch, and even against infinitely reproducing types, as long as they exist within range, he automatically keeps killing them...
Look at the Old Man of the Mountain, no explanation needed. The others are absurd too. Only I, what is this... am I really a Grand Servant?
"I'm tired... can you drive the chariot?"
"Of course. I am a genius, after all."
"Then, please..."
"... The sight of you fighting, risking your life to protect me... was magnificent."
"Thank you... how is your younger body?"
"Umu, it doesn't seem bad at all."
"That's a relief..."
Nero drives the chariot instead, and I lean back to rest. Ugh, I'm tired...