Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

Novia thought back to when Draco hugged her and said, "The old you was so foolish. You didn't know who you really were, you were so complacent. So you wanted your teacher to repeat your words and scold the old you." No matter how she thought about it, she didn't want to become Nero again.

“That’s not necessarily true!” Romulus patted Novia on the shoulder. “Novia, you didn’t ask Rome, did you? And you might not even say it outright. Besides, my approach isn’t to force Draco to never turn back. It’s a choice. Whether it’s Nero, Draco, or the older version of herself, she can change as she pleases.”

Then, Romulus patted his chest with relief and smiled again: "That's right, this is Rome's super transformation form!"

"So come, Novia, join me in helping Rome realize its dream!"

.......

"The teacher went to another world... Is it because of that gem-bearer?"

In Ayaka Sajou's apartment, Draco felt a violent surge of magical energy, desperately suppressing the urge to follow the shouts. It was something completely different from hatred or anger; it was an irresistible desire surging through his body, as if his self-awareness was about to be swept away.

She guessed that this must be due to her teacher's certain abilities related to the entire church, which enabled him to invoke many people associated with the church, such as popes, saints, righteous people, those who follow the way, those who are remembered by noble people even though they are dead, those who bear the cross of history, and so on.

As the second pope, he lacked this ability and could only suppress the impulse.

But in reality, Draco couldn't do it.

That summons was practically spontaneous; in other words, she genuinely wanted to go. However, she simply didn't want to appear in front of so many juniors in the church. The only disciple of the Holy One, the second Pope of the Holy Church, was actually a beast?! It was such a disgrace to her teacher.

Draco has managed to suppress her so far because Novia genuinely felt she didn't want to come and therefore stopped shouting.

"...Eh!"

However, before Draco could even relax, the magical energy surged again, and before he could resist, he vanished from his spot.

"...The teacher is really something, forcing me to do it even when I clearly didn't want to—"

The next moment, Draco, who had come from the apartment into this blank world, turned his head slightly.

"—The Divine Ancestor!?"

Standing before Draco was Romulus.

"Nero, my beloved child, the embodiment of Rome's glory and shadow, my Rome."

"...Don't come any closer, Divine Ancestor...I am not some Roman!"

Draco was somewhat confused as to why things had turned out this way—this was a place usually frequented by figures associated with the Church, so why was the founding emperor of Rome here? Nevertheless, she quickly glared fiercely at Romulus Quirinus, who was approaching with outstretched hands.

The side of the god appears dressed in the rank of Grand Lancer.

Why did the God Ancestor, who was just a regular Lancer-class character before, suddenly change into a Grand-class character?

The answer is simple: first, Novia, who agreed to his request, became his Master, and then Novia summoned him again.

The so-called Grand Servants are the seven riders who protect humanity and stand at the pinnacle of the era. They are the seven heroic spirits selected from the Root and standing at the top of the seven classes. They are the means by which the Counter Force uses the great calamity (Beast) that harms primates... That being said, there are still multiple candidates.

Novia has ample magical power, and she herself is an existence that does not need to be opposed by the Counter Force. In addition, she is currently dealing with a Beast, and the Ancestor of God himself has appeared voluntarily. Therefore, both situations for the appearance of a Grand Master are satisfied at the same time: one is that there is a Beast that needs to be eliminated by a Grand Master, and the other is a decisive battle magic that is actively summoned with the conditions prepared, like in 252.

As for Noah, who should be dealing with Draco... he's probably still on Noah's Ark, drinking with Smoke Mirror and Jiang Ziya.

"No, you are Rome! I can only love Rome, and you have the aura of Rome in you. There's no mistake, you are the child I love, you are Rome!"

Romulus Quirinus, dressed in blue, stopped and laughed loudly.

"Shut up, shut up! Believe me or not, I'll kill you right now, Ancestor God..."

“Nero, Rome is the world, the world is Rome, and even so you are still Rome.”

Draco lowered her head quietly; although she used to say these things, she found it difficult to say them now.

Ancestor, I am not some Roman...those...only from the past...I am not caused by extreme desire, a simple dragon phenomenon, but rather a return to some origin, a primordial form...

It's not the anthropomorphism of humans; quite the opposite, it's that some kind of beast descended to earth in a form that conformed to the human world—that is my true nature.

"Rome, what really bothers you is your beastly identity, but that's not your fault. You haven't done anything wrong. You have no guilt in becoming who you are now."

If I had to say there was a fault, it would be that I, who clearly saw all of this happening, still created Rome.

As Rome, one cannot help but love Rome.

"My child, Rome."

As Romulus Quirinus finished speaking, a city that Nero could never forget suddenly appeared in the previously blank world—Rome.

However, unlike the Rome she remembered, the city was filled with white and gold walls, green leaves, and vibrant red roses, making it look almost like a wedding palace.

Furthermore, the overwhelming 'brilliance' of the seven hills east of the Tiber River in the heart of Rome, converging at Mount Quirino—Mount Palatine, Mount Aventinus, Mount Capitoline, Mount Viminale, Mount Esquilino, and Mount Cyrio—was concentrated in the hands of Romulus Quirino.

The immense light that was created in that instant, along with the corresponding ethereal flower shadows, moved toward the place where Draco was.

Romulus Quirinus's EX-rank Anti-Star Noble Phantasm, "Our Arms Open All Things to the Heavens," is both an expression of the arrogance of those who dominate all things and a manifestation of the brilliance of humanity that dreams of continuous progress in the future. If used for attack, it would cause immense destruction.

If used for protection or creation, it might radiate an even more dazzling brilliance.

Right now, Romulus Quirinus is using the second effect: the concept of the Seven Hills combined with sacrificing the Grand rank in exchange for enhancement, allowing the beast-like Draco to revert to Nero, which is also the effect of her being able to transform into whatever she wants.

But for Draco, who is a first-class planetary, it was not so easy for her to be hit by a Grand God. However, in this land where the voice of Novia was heard, she couldn't help but agree. Therefore, the radiance seemed to blend together and envelop her in light.

"These hands of mine are not for destruction, but for opening the darkness of ignorance, touching the unknown, protecting Rome, and existing for the love of humanity." Romulus Quirinus, exhausted and about to disappear, pointed to the sky above the white world. "Rome, Nero, the stars in the sky are blessing us—"

"I bestow my blessings upon you, wishing you a life filled with romance and Rome."

Then, Romulus Quirinus left the stage.

"Remain.........."

A few seconds later, the light dissipated, and Nero, who emerged from it, stared blankly at his normal hands and the tail that no longer existed behind him.

"It's back to normal..."

However, Nero also realized that she could probably turn back to her original form again, but looking at the pure white wedding dress she was wearing, the blonde girl still felt that at least for now, it wasn't necessary. She could be like Draco and be wildly affectionate with her teacher anytime.

"Hmm, Teacher should be waiting for me at the Pantheon."

The surrounding scenery reminded Nero of the day he became the Roman emperor, so he immediately ran towards the Pantheon.

"Seriously, is this some kind of wedding ceremony for Yu? All this thinking is for Yu's teacher, she's so cute..."

Nero smiled naturally, and the girl's boots clattered as she walked step by step toward the Pantheon.

She soon arrived at the Pantheon, where the dazzling sunlight shone directly on her, and Novia, just as she had expected, was sitting in the "Eye of the Dome" of the Pantheon, waiting for him, just like that day.

"Hmm, teacher, Yu Shunli is back! This time she's dressed in a wedding gown! Isn't she beautiful!"

Golden strands of hair swayed gently beneath a white hat adorned with a golden laurel wreath. On the girl's fair face, her emerald green eyes shimmered like a rippling, icy lake.

“It suits you quite well.” Novia nodded slightly. “Well, since everything is developing as the progenitor predicted, and Nero, you’ve transformed back from Draco, I should be able to undo—”

"No."

Nero, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, smiled and pounced into Novia's arms, pressing down on her and taking off the laurel wreath from her head to place on Novia's head.

"Teacher, do you know why I wore this laurel wreath back then and now?"

"This is not necessary for every ceremony—"

“No.” Nero gently touched Novia’s lips with his finger and said softly, “Because this is the laurel wreath that I personally held for you, teacher, during the triumphal procession. I have always regretted that if this laurel wreath could have your aura, teacher, I would have kept it all this time for that purpose.”

Then, Nero whispered in Novia's ear:

"The previous ones don't count, that was Draco. The teacher needs to be Nero's... Strange, my head is itchy—"

"Nero, you... have grown fox ears."

"Eh eh eh eh, how could my body be like that—" Nero was slightly panicked for a second, then seemed to realize and licked his lips, "It's caused by the scent of a fox. I say, teacher, when did you meet a real fox spirit? Let me make you completely forget that wild fox!"

Also, after the wedding, I'll change into my papal robes. Hmm, I designed them myself, and only I have ever worn them. Teacher, you can take a good look now. What will I wear afterwards? Teacher, you choose!

In short, this is the victory declaration of the Roman emperor, who can now freely switch between Nero, Arcade Wolf, and Draco (both major and minor).

Chapter 282 The End of the Pseudo-Holy Grail, The Girl Guarding the Malignant City.

"Huh? You weren't forced...it was all voluntary?"

Inside the Thousand World Tree Castle, Semiramis, who had come with Romulus, looked at the white dove, her familiar that had originally belonged to her, with a very surprised expression.

During her lifetime, the Assyrian queen grew up under the protection of doves that could withstand any storm and nourished by milk brought from them.

Although she was discovered by a male shepherd more than ten years later and taken to the human world, and the person who became her parents taught her skills such as dancing and makeup, those were merely weapons and techniques she had to survive. For an abandoned child, the real parents were those white doves who were not human.

As for humanity as a whole, Semiramis hates women, showing no mercy even to fallen goddesses who are manipulated by men.

Mocking men, while belittling women, ultimately reveals them as mere objects to be manipulated by those with animalistic minds.

This is her philosophy, and also her understanding of the world.

"I hope I treat that guy the way I would treat my parents..."

The Assyrian queen murmured the advice the doves had given her, her face instantly darkening.

She genuinely couldn't understand what kind of spell the American sun god had cast on the doves. They were all surrounding her like loyal fans, praising her highly, making her want to immediately stop communicating with them...

But Semiramis ultimately did not do that, after all, these white doves were the ones she had raised, and they were the ones she truly considered her parents.

She wouldn't hate the white doves, but the girl's accumulated resentment would be directed at the yet-to-appear American sun god.

In contrast to her resentful state, things were bustling with activity on the other side, in a place adorned with several flowers.

At this moment, facing the trio of Semiramis, Achilles, and Atalanta from the Red side are Siegfried, Chiron, Astolfo, and Frankenstein from the Black side, as well as Mordred, who should belong to the Red side. However, with the Greater Grail still destroyed, Amakusa's departure, and Chiron, the teacher of many Greek heroes, present, the scene is not a duel as a battle, but rather a different kind of expression—

"Achilles, I'm a very powerful Servant! That's right, I'm a Rider-class Servant, the hero known for my weakness being my heels. However, not everyone can touch my heels! The fastest human foot speed isn't just a name, you know? What do you think, Siegfried?"

“Indeed, but we’re not comparing legs right now, Achilles.”

"Go for it, Lord Siegfried! Teach Achilles a lesson and bring honor to the Black Faction! Go for it, Lord Siegfried, you are the best swordsman now!"

Hearing Altosfo's encouragement, Siegfried, who was shirtless like Novia, nodded. He stood at one end of the bench, his feet firmly planted on the ground, his hands clenched into fists, gently adjusting his breathing, and quietly gazing at Achilles opposite him.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling a corner of the field.

At this moment, Achilles had changed out of his armor into casual clothes similar to those of a 'diver'. His hands were slightly open, palms facing each other, and he was gently moving his wrists. His muscles were faintly visible under his tight-fitting clothes. Each deep breath seemed to move the surrounding air. His eyes showed both confidence in victory and anticipation for the fierce confrontation that was about to begin.

What the two of them had to do was—

Wrench strength.

"Alright, Siegfried, since you dare to stand in front of me, it means you want to lose, right... And teacher, big sister, cheer me on!"

Perhaps feeling that Artos was too dazzling standing behind Siegfried, clapping and shouting wildly, Achilles shouted this.

"I'm sorry, Achilles, I'm the referee now and I can't show favoritism. I'm cheering for both you and Siegfried."

The centaur mentor smiled and refused his disciple's request.

"boring."

Ata, basking in the sun, simply responded indifferently.

"Yeah."

Achilles, who was rejected by both men, did not seem very disappointed; he simply closed his eyes slightly.

These hands of mine sing praises to the world; they have witnessed everything in my life's journey, they can embrace the people I love, and they reflect what I wish to protect. Therefore, they are surely like my shield; if I so desire, I can overturn people, armies, cities, and even the various forces of gods.

Come on, Black Swordsman, let's see if my hand or the Dragon Slayer's Hand wins.

"start!"

With a signal from referee Chiron, the wrestling competition officially began.

Siegfried took the initiative, his right arm suddenly sinking down, attempting to crush Achilles' wrist with overwhelming force. However, Achilles was not intimidated. He quickly adjusted his posture, clenching his fists tightly and interlocking them with Siegfried's wrists. His arm muscles instantly tensed, as if countless small snakes were wriggling under his skin, releasing astonishing power.

The contest of strength between the two instantly reached a fever pitch. Their arms were pressed tightly together, their muscle lines becoming even more pronounced in the tension. Sweat, born to create a realistic effect, slid down their foreheads and dripped onto the bench, making a soft sound. Their breathing became rapid and heavy, each exhale seemingly releasing the power within them.

Siegfried and Achilles both have a B+ strength and an A endurance, so they are basically the same in terms of physical stats. Therefore, it is normal for them to be locked in a stalemate for a while.

"Oh! Oh! Siegfried, you'd better try your best and show your cool side! You are Lord Avia's sword, blade, and spear! Don't lose to this guy!"

Altos's voice naturally reached Achilles' ears once again.

I never expected Siegfried to have such a cute girl cheering him on. Seriously... no, I've never lacked male cheerleaders when I was alive. What's so enviable about girls cheering me on...? Okay, I'll ignore the older sister, and the teacher will observe. Am I supposed to fight alone? Absolutely no problem, because that's what makes a hero—

"Go, fast-moving big brother!"

"Ugh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!"

Upon hearing this female voice, which was no weaker than Altos's, Achilles, his blood boiling with passion, let out a battle cry.