Yet Another Battle...

"You...! I will burn your sorry ass so much you won't be able to sit down for the rest of your life!" Jalter was pointing her trembling finger at Stheno; her face was the epitome of rage.

"Oh? Did you return safely? And that's not how a lady should speak. But perhaps you are not one; in that case, it is fine." She paid no mind to the angry stares she was receiving, opting for making fun of Jalter instead.

"You seriously have some explaining to do, little lady." Caster was calmer than Avenger, but you could see he wasn't up to jokes this time.

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As the world was getting whiter and whiter, Jeanne quickly reacted without hesitation. The others did the same and rapidly moved toward her, although certain someone was not especially happy about this.

"Luminosité...Eternelle!" With her voice, a barrier of light enveloped the group just in time for the explosion to go in effect completely.

*Boom*

A sound that was even louder than the ones before resounded all around them. The cave trembled, showing signs of collapse.

Meanwhile, Jeanne was tightly holding her flag that was tearing apart little by little. As the explosion grew larger in proportion, so did the damage it was causing.

The blast lasted for a few seconds, but those seconds seemed to last an eternity. When the color returned to their world, the first thing that greeted their sight was big rocks falling onto them.

"Save your Noble Phantasm for later. I will take it from here." Cu Chulainn knew there was a limit to how much time Jeanne could use her defense. Seth was too far away, meaning he was not supplying Magical Energy. Maybe a little, but that was about it, so she had to conserve every bit she had. Besides, they could do just fine with his Noble Phantasm, which he was about to use.

« "Burn up, tree giant."

『Wickerman!』.»

Caster slammed his hand on the ground. A fire circle enveloped the barrier before said one disappeared. From behind them, a wooden hand shot out from the cold floor, before the rest of its body got out.

The towering giant created a shadow above them. As the rocks from the ceiling fell, the giant stopped them. No matter how much they hit its body, it never moved from its place.

Eventually, everything returned to normal. The rocks fell no more, and the cave also trembled no more. The wood giant moved its limbs, getting rid of the pieces of debris on top of it.

Cu Chulainn dismissed his Noble Phantasm once he saw that it was over. When the group looked all around, they saw a disaster. It was like the aftermath of an earthquake.

The sky was a mix between red and orange, signifying they have been in that cave for a long time. Now that they were out, there was only one thing to do. They had to seek answers from that Goddess, and, in the mind of some, kill her.

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"I don't think I have any explaining to do, though. Heroes face hardships, and if they overcome them, they become stronger. Isn't that the case?" Stheno raised her eyebrows, not fazed by their stares.

"That's right! I knew the little puppy could make it out alive. But I see you have an annoying snake with you this time." A cheerful voice that became a little jealous at the end made their way into their ears. Fujimaru and Mash visibly paled while Kiyohime furrowed.

"Oh, look who it is. I guess I can't get away from roasted lizards." Kiyohime taunted with her fan covering her mouth.

"It's the people you stalk the ones that can't away from you!" Elizabeth didn't waste any time to retort.

'Kuro-san...save me.' It was on this type of occasion where the other Master would come and solve the problem by doing the thing he does with his eyes. Or directly by knocking them out.

"Shut up; you are so annoying!" Jalter was already pissed. She didn't want to hear their bickering and damp her mood any further.

"And what is she doing here?! Did you guys join the dark side now?!" Elizabeth screamed, aggravating them more.

"SHUT UP, ARE YOU FUCKING DEAF?!" It was Avenger's time to scream; she had to use the willpower she didn't know she had to avoid attacking her.

Hearing her shout, Elizabeth quickly hid behind another figure which they haven't been paying attention.

The figure just looked at them, specifically at Jalter and Jeanne, with her head tilted. "Do I know you? Cat thinks she does."

'No doubt about it, this must be her. Although, what's with this strange thing?!' Cu Chulainn first analyzed what he knew about her in folklore and stuff. But looking at the sight in front of him, he couldn't help but feel cheated.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think we have met before." Jeanne shook her head in denial, much to Tamamo Cat's confusion.

"Why the fuck would I know a weirdo?" Jalter remarked, gaining an unamused stare from the Berserker.

"It seems you're in a hurry to die. Do you want to be cut into pieces and be served for dinner?" Without a change in her expression, Tamamo Cat threatened Avenger, who twitched her eyebrows in response.

"No need to be so aggressive, I will give you a carrot later." Stheno practically bribed the strange girl who beamed at her words.

Nodding her head in succession, she didn't wait to reply. "This cat is going to behave, woof!"

The Chaldeans had a look of confusion on their faces. However, Jalter couldn't let go of this opportunity and relieve some stress. "Oh look, you found a companion." She said, focusing her gaze on Cu Chulainn.

"Don't call me a dog! To begin with, I'm nothing like her! Do you see me being a fox dressed as a cat that acts like a dog?!" Caster complained, mild anger apparent on his voice.

Avenger merely gave him a smug smile, choosing not to answer. It only worked to annoy Cu Chulainn further, though.

"Hm... Maybe I ate you before? That can be it." Out of nowhere, Tamamo Cat started talking again about the previous subject.

"U-um...As I said—" Jeanne wanted to make her denial clear once again but was interrupted by Berserker's continuous rambling.

"You look similar; you might be from the same species!" Tamamo Cat said as she took a carrot from out of nowhere and started munching on it.

"Don't need to concern yourselves with her. You have to be somewhat special to understand what she is saying." Stheno waved her hand, signaling the group not to concern themselves with her weird behavior.

After a brief pause, she continued. "Although she was supposed to be waiting for you if you managed to beat the Chimera. Considering she is here, it seems that didn't happen, though." The Goddess shook her head. She didn't seem concerned about it, nevertheless.

"Anyway, you managed to clear my 'trial,' so you deserve something out of it, at least," Stheno said, bringing joy to the cheerful Nero.

"Are you going to give us that famous Goddess' blessing?!" Nero had sparkles in her eyes at the mention of obtaining something. Her work would be rewarded, no reason to be not happy about it!

"And who are you? You are just a human, why are you here?" Seemingly forgetting Fujimaru is also one, albeit a Master, Elizabeth asked Nero. She also forgot her fear now that she found someone to bully.

"Don't you have any manners?! I'm the fifth Emperor of Rome, Nero Claudius, in person! And what's with that thing in your hands?" The blond-haired girl introduced herself with the same smugness that characterizes her.

"You are Nero?! History is weird sometimes. Anyways! The thing in my hand is a microphone. With this, I can transmit my beautiful voice to more people!" She declared with enthusiasm.

"Do you sing, too?!" You could see a hint of jealousy when she heard about such a miraculous treasure, but there was something more important right now.

"Isn't that obvious?! I'm an idol, after—Wait a minute." Elizabeth also seemed to come to a realization.

'A rival, huh?' That was the thought that went through their minds as they stared at each other. However, to the luck of everyone present, Stheno cleared her throat. "I appreciate your...passion for such matter, but I don't like being interrupted too much." The little girl told them with a smile on her face. Although, this smile was more on the dark side, making them flinch a little.

The others didn't need no Goddess' blessing. The fact she prevented a world-ending catastrophe just now was enough to them.

"As I was saying. When I materialized here, I brought Elizabeth and Tamamo Cat with me. I created the cave for Heroes to prove their worth. Although I didn't expect Servants to appear, I guess you count as 'heroes,' too."

"That still doesn't explain why your little pet suddenly went crazy and started attacking like we were its sworn enemies." Vlad went directly to the crux of the matter. He may not be someone versed in mythology, but he was sure that was not a behavior a beast would have from the get-go.

"Oh? I don't remember giving it such orders, though. What did it do?" Stheno looked confused for a second but decided to ask so she could have a better idea. She found intriguing that something like that could happen.

Martha frowned a little, hearing her question. "It acted normal at first, but when it got closer, the Chimera started sniffing around and then became crazy."

"Isn't it because you smelled bad?" Elizabeth asked and instantly was pierced by murderous stares. "It was a joke, don't take it seriously!" The self-proclaimed idol quickly hid behind Tamamo Cat again, who was still munching on her carrot.

'There are not many things that could drive a monster like a Chimera crazy right from the start. The only option could be a command, but that is impossible since I did not—' Stheno's thinking was cut short the moment a realization hit her.

'I see... It's the most logical explanation I can think of right now, especially if I consider the place where we are. Still, it doesn't make sense. Neither of those two should be here at this point.'

Stheno decided to stop her musing and speak to the Chaldeans once again. "I think I know the reason why the Chimera attacked you. Sadly, even I'm not sure if my thinking is correct. Remember what I told you about another Divine Spirit being here? It may be related to that."

"So, you know the name of that Divine Spirit?" Romani appeared to ask, although he wasn't as hopeful as he was before considering the disappointment they had with Stheno.

The little Goddess seemed to see through his thoughts as she gave him the classical 'shiver-inducing' smile. She still responded, though. "I have two candidates, and no one of the two is good news. You may as well offer your lives to them."

This brought surprised faces from some, and serious from others. "Are they that dangerous?" Dr. Roman asked once again, a little baffled.

"You can say I have a 'personal' relationship with them in some stories of you humans. So, I know how dangerous they can be. But there is a high chance I may be mistaken, even though I don't like to admit it." Stheno informed them.

'I don't know what is going on in that head of hers, but I don't think she associated him with the Divine Spirit she is thinking.' Cu Chulainn thought while looking at the ground with his hand on his chin.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he noticed Jeanne looking at the sea with caution. Caster followed her gaze and could see something, or rather someone, in the distance.

A figure was swimming its way across the sea with incredible speed.

"Guys, a Servant is heading to your direction from the sea. Be prepared for battle!" It wasn't long before Romani informed them of the incoming figure, revealing it to be a Servant.

Seeing who it was, Nero's grip on her weapon became tighter. "So you have come here, uncle."

The Servant, Caligula, just smiled, seeing so many girls. "Beautiful. So beautiful. I love that beauty. My niece, Nero...so beautiful."

"What's it with this creep?!" Elizabeth recoiled in disgust, Tamamo Cat just laughed, and Stheno raised her eyebrows.

As if he hadn't heard them, he continued. "Your beauty, I want to corrupt it, trample it, and make it mine!" His smile became crazier as he said those words.

Nero released a deep sigh. "It's sad that you became like that, uncle. Still, I feel like it's my job to put an end to your madness once and for all."

Taking her words as a signal, Caligula shot toward her with a howl similar to that of a mad beast. The others did the same. Even if they weren't fans of consecutive battles, some things had to be done.