Finis Chaldea

The pirate captain and Gilgamesh's newest acquisition were off to feast, leaving the king himself in the throne room with only Orihime and Siduri. The former expressed shock over the quality of her new items, while Gilgamesh seemed completely indifferent. "They are trinkets," he said with a sigh. The overvaluing of common Artifacts was something Gilgamesh could almost view as an epidemic. All of his possessions were of the highest quality, and the people beneath him would be no exception to this law of reality. These newcomers would understand soon enough. Moving on, Orihime spoke of her intention to change out of those rags. It was about time she chose to be more presentable. He would not keep her from a visage befitting one of his own underlings, but there was one additional thing he required of her. With said thing in mind, he spoke while waving the girl off. "Off with you then. When you are done, I will need you to speak with the next girl to join these ranks. She is to be brought here immediately."

The King of Heroes claimed that the things he gave were mere trinkets. Though he did not seem the type to change his mind, both herself and the new girl Belris were mages. As mages they both were both aware of how truly outlandish the items they had received were, perhaps it was different up here? She was certain of this even without speaking directly to Belris. Maybe people here were all really strong, never faced anyone who could harm them easily or something like that. Whatever the case, she could only commend his attitude. Right now, even so deep into his roleplay, he truly was a cut above the rest in this reality. She couldn't fault him for that. She was now being shooed away to dress and make her announcement, but beyond that point there was apparently the desire to have her speak with the girl that had been identified by Belris. "Hai, I'll be ready for that..." Those were the final words of Orihime spoken aloud as she went back to her rooms to change into this new clothing of hers.

By the time she left only Siduri and Gilgamesh were left in the room. He'd mentioned that mage being picked up with haste, and it made the veiled woman wonder who would be going to fetch her. Obviously Siduri could and would do so if he desired, or he could send someone else to get her regardless. It did not really matter. Overall, the woman was just happy to see the man interacting with others.

"Good. I will be watching your progress closely," said Gilgamesh as the girl departed. Things were looking up as of late. Artoria could go about enjoying her little war, and he would continue making preparations for the day she finally crossed the threshold of his chamber door. The one called Yamuraiha would be among the most necessary acquisitions for the sake of advancement. She, combined with the likes of Belris and Orihime, with Siduri heading the lot of them in his absence, could easily maintain Uruk without the sense of Gilgamesh's abilities missing very much. So, he would keep the throne occupied for the time being, letting his new forces work for the better of all, including themselves. Within a day, Yamuraiha would be brought in just as the other two had been, becoming Uruk's artificer. Within two days, a young male named Kalim was brought in to act as master and handler of beasts, as well as the new leading cook of the citadel. On the third day, he acquired the alchemist Sumai. Four days passed, and the final addition to his ranks for the moment appeared. Akeem, a wandering Druid of Chaldea in recent years, was called upon to become courier and rune-caster to aid the artificer. Then, the fifth day was upon them...

On that fifth day, eight total nights had passed over the battlefield of Artoria Pendragon and Lucius Tiberius. This land would know no fertility for quite some time. Grass appeared only in patches consisting of a few blades, if every inch of the earth hadn't been overturned already. Trees were fallen, broken and splintered. Dark splotches littered the land as days-old blood coagulated and settled to stain dirt and stone. Lucius, however, bore only a single wound. He presently bled from his chest, which had been left covered by only a few shreds of fabric after numerous lacerations that had since healed themselves. After an entire week and then some managed to pass him by, he was quite low on mana to fuel his blade, and all too satisfied to be in such a situation. Alas, Lucius Tiberius was never low on strength. Even now, he was managing a mighty descent of his blade. The wind howled just as he did, screeching around his sword as it cleaved through the air. The emperor's aim was to split Artoria's head here and now, dragging his sword through the whole of her body to end this encounter at last.

On the same day she'd gone to change clothes, Orihime, had given a single broadcast. An announcement addressing the 'War' in Albion. All in Chaldea could bear witness to the young woman with her orange hair in an acutely designed outfit. A vertical window in her cleavage, puffy sleeves and large brown eyes. In a moment she seemed to gain the whole attention of the world as she explained the situation. She spent some time explaining the nature of the battle and that the whole of Chaldea's upper echelons knew what was going on in the Queen of Knights country. Instead of making it sound like something dangerous and hopeless, her address sounded rather hopeful and put a lot of faith in the Queen of Knights based on her own feats. The woman who slayed the white titan, who called the Knights of the Round Table her subjects, the one who brought her country up of her own accord winning two holy grail wars in the process. She was not a woman to be worried about, she was a woman to have faith in. "You do not have to worry for the sake of the Queen of Knights nor those who sit at her table. Look forward to her victory."

Such an interesting message delivered to the masses seemed to calm them in some ways. But one who wasn't calm, was the Queen of Knights herself. She'd been fighting for over a week, and seemingly only making progress a single cut at a time. Even so, she still had a smile on her face, a battle like this was a struggle and the struggle was the most fun part of the battle. She could not wear out this man physically, instead this became a race for mana which was strangely one she thought she could win in most cases. She'd once been awake for a fortnight straight. She'd fought against the Chains of Heaven for three days straight and this fight which marred an entire battlefield and decorated it with the blood and clothing of two would see an entire eight of that same pair dancing. And what part of the dance had they come to? The blade of Lucius was descending upon Artoria with just as much power as he always possessed. Excalibur was moved to be held horizontally protecting her from this downward strike. The currently visible blade glowing in her hand as she forced mana into it, and her upper body augmenting her physical strength against his strike. If their blades were normal, she didn't doubt they would have broken over the clash, still she aimed to push further, push through. Her own blade seemed to gain sharpness as the wind-based mana flowed through it, augmented by her own holy magic. She aimed to eat away at that blade she'd seen the truth of. And if she managed to break it, she'd follow through the only way she could, one clean stroke decapitation. It was Artoria who sought this victory, but would she claim it?

The message of Orihime reached the whole of Finis Chaldea. Even the knights observing Artoria's battle had received it. Lancelot observed the display with great interest. There was a newscast in Chaldea now? Nice, he thought. Whoever this reporter was had been an excellent choice as well, but he'd concern himself with that later. More days of battle were to follow, until a single moment finally decided things.

That moment was soon to come. A single strike attempt resulted in a clash of swords. Neither party would be giving any headway; this was soon to end one way or another. Though Lucius' entire life purpose had been the slaying of Artoria Pendragon, he didn't care about that at all. No, this was a far greater use for his existence, discovered over a glorious eight day battle. He'd kill her if the moment arose, and if he died instead... he'd come back to try again. Nothing could top this! In fact, as he felt the pressure of her sword against his own, Lucius came to a realization. If he split the woman in twain, what then? When would he receive such a challenge again after this? Well, surely they were similar enough that she would come back to chase victory as well. Yes, that was sensible.

Whatever the case, it seemed he wouldn't have to give it much consideration. Even as his remaining mana swelled and passed through his blade, Lucius could feel severance coming. He felt the start of his own sword being cut, and the following second seemed to occur in slow motion. Realization struck without regret; a smile even grew on the emperor's face. 'So that's what it is,' he thought, knowing his blade would not meet flesh again in this life. Instead, Artoria's wind-sheathed tool cleaved through his own to carve a clear path to, and through, his neck. Mere seconds of consciousness remained in his mind alone. Half of Lucius' sword fell, followed by his head and body, separately. Just like that, the empire of Roma would come to an end with the fall of its emperor. Perhaps he'd go for a different focus in the next life. Either way, his goals had already been determined. . .

A decisive clash finally occurred for the battle between Artoria Pendragon and Lucius Tiberius. Strangely, even while realizing such a moment would happen, and knowing she would not find hesitation in her soul at the moment of victory... she could honestly say she'd grown to like the man fighting against her. In the moment where her blade was still moving forward through his broken sword, Artoria found herself smiling at the man as well. Fire in her eyes as she watched the recognition of this moment play across his. "That was fun, come back soon, friend." Those few whispered words happened as his sword and body parts fell separately on the battlefield. That smile on Artoria's face remained for quite a few seconds as it turned into gentle giggles. That was well and truly challenging, if he came back she'd have to make sure she was ready to face him again. There was an amused light in her eyes as the dust settled. Her hair was loose, it'd popped free of that bun sometime in the last few days. Her sword was dirty, she'd have to take care of that. Her own face was also filthy but her body had no wounds to show. Even that dress now connected to her mana, seemed to have repaired itself. Her sword rose in the air shining like a beacon of her victory before she straightened her posture. Oh, she was comfortable now... she walked back towards the waiting men here and now, and those of Lucius' army who remained, while stepping over his body.

She planted Excalibur before herself as she addressed the crowd of the now fallen Roma, "Hear me now, soldiers of the lands below and spread it to your so-called kings and emperors. You will rise to this plane in peace... or be sent back down to the ground you crawled up from in pieces. These declarations of war will not be tolerated. You have been warned you will not be again." the Queen's proclamation came and Mordred seemed almost excited. Such a clear declaration. It was amazing. "Take your Emperor and bury him properly, and leave my land in peace. I will not make such an offer a second time." Mordred was practically jittery. Was this what the Queen was? A powerhouse who killed in one moment and offered benevolence and dignity in the next?! Was this what happened when one wore the visage of an almighty ruler. 'She's so cool! I want to be just like her!' these were the thoughts of a young knight. With that one cleared Artoria turned back to her own knights approached first and foremost, Gareth. "I require a ribbon do you have one?" she asked of the girl who removed her wrist guard and offered one pristine white ribbon. "Thank you, Little Wolf~" she mentioned. "We ride for Camelot. Ready yourselves..." Artoria said but she was still smiling. in a surprisingly good mood as she put her hair up in a casual ponytail to keep it from bouncing around her shoulders while she rode.

On the lower world, an era was coming to its climactic end. The empire of Roma had once consumed the supercontinent below, and the individual continents after breaking apart would have eventually been reined back in. None of that would come. Lucius Tiberius would not be the returning soul, and it could be assumed that none below could pick up the empire as it was. One more thing tacked onto the record of Artoria Pendragon, it seemed. By the time of the queen's return, Lancelot was clapping slowly. He'd been awake and watching for eight days, unlike Galahad who currently slept on horseback. "Good show," the older knight said in the moments following Artoria's declaration. In the meantime, former soldiers of Lucius were carrying off body and sword, making their way back to the lower world. "I think I'll wait a while on that next training session. That's enough action even for me," Lancelot concluded while hopping onto his horse, nudging Galahad awake. "Oi, move it!" he said, having the smaller male shift until there was room to occupy the horse.

A slow clap greeted Artoria as she approached her group. Of course, Lancelot always had something interesting to say when he witnessed such moments. What would it be this time? Artoria kept an ear open after sheathing Excalibur, while tying her hair up. Good show, but he would be avoiding his next training session for some time to come? "As long as you do not allow yourself to rust away. I suppose a bit of rest is in order for the lot of you," she said knowing they'd been fighting for a long while of the time she'd been missing. Having handled this particular problem she also had something she rather swiftly needed to do... she was about a thousand years late on a night out she'd promised to attend and was still in possession of the Golden King's Armor. Everyone was soon up and Artoria was content to ride back to Camelot. Victory was upon the Knights of the Round Table and all of Camelot and it was time for a feast and relaxation for all present.

Mordred remained mostly silent but one could practically see the sparkles coming off that young knight's head piece. They were star-struck weren't they? Yes, that was probably the most accurate way to describe the feelings of Mordred. In that person's eyes, Artoria Pendragon was the perfect Queen and could do no wrong. eight days of fighting before decapitating a man in a single moment and then, the dignity to send off his men with his body and a declaration. Poise, kindness, unreachable might and then a return to her normal slightly distant relationship with her Knights. Giving them time off after she'd carried the whole of that fight's effort on her own? Too nice! What did they actually mean she was inhuman? That was the most humane end to a warlord that could happen. He got to die in battle and Artoria got to fight him to the death. And then they all were able to travel back home. Mordred would spend the night's feast simply looking pleased while staring at the queen. At the table all were eating and it was all well. Artoria spent time with them in the guise of peace as they'd not done so properly since her return. And because later she'd be announcing a walk.

While the Knights of Camelot had their feast in the wake of Artoria's victory, the soldiers of Roma were only just returning. News of an emperor's fall would spread quickly in the lower world, even reaching the first king of Roma who was approached to pick up the war effort against Albion. A man tan of skin with dark blue hair received a request from a very small group of individuals who knew he remained alive from previous wars, even though they knew not where he'd disappeared to. To think that others expected him to take up a war effort when he knew the stupid cause behind it, the man could only laugh at his own people. "Roma is the world. The world is Roma. Tiberius is no longer Roma, so Roma should not act on his desire. Besides, it was never his to begin with. Let it end," he advised, abstaining from any return to rule. He was, however, made interested in the goings-on of that land in the sky. He'd once had the opportunity to rise taken from him. In the aftermath, there had been a different sort of ascension not for Roma, but for the man himself. He would one day unveil glorious purpose, but... it would not be today, nor would it be for the purpose of a false god.

So, all would end. War, feasting, and even the praises and questions of everyone present. Eventually, Artoria would clean her sword and prepare to embark on a journey. When sleep found her she woke the next day stretched and prepared. She'd given the knights a day or two of reprieve and they could go back to their duties as they wished in the next week. Beyond that point though, Artoria was prepared for her walk and she would be taking it very soon. In fact, she announced such a thing in front of most of the Knights with a smile on her face and very little by way of resistance. "I am going on a walk!" she proclaimed with finality. The Lady Kay looked at the young woman taking in her appearance. Hair perfect, the lighter version of her normally super layered frilly dress, that tiny bit of gold peaking out from under her collar, and a strange light in her eyes. There was only one place the green eyed lass would be walking to at a time like this. Still, Kay couldn't resist a bit of teasing. "Like a real walk where you come home with a body? Or the other kind where you come home having been given presents?" Kay asked seeming to be amused beyond all reason. A scoff escaped Artoria as she managed only to just hold her visage a bit. "I am returning something..." Artoria managed, only barely to not touch that little piece of gold which was visible under the collar of her dress. "I have had it in my possession for a few months. I will not be returning with haste though... would it be too much to ask?" Artoria said tentatively. A grin spread across the older woman's face. "Absolutely not too much to ask. I am sure after knowing about your victory over the Sword Emperor it will be a while yet before any cross Albion without the best of intentions. Go and have fun... we await your return," she said.

Mordred found the announcement of Artoria strange. She was going on a walk and not taking anyone with her? Was that truly alright a thing to do? Shouldn't they worry? "Is Father truly just going to leave without escort or even someone to defend her on her walk? Surely, if she is only returning something someone should go with her..." asked Mordred, seeming to find the whole of it strange. Mordred would have gladly accompanied Artoria anywhere she wished to go. Their Queen was perfect and none could stop her from undertaking what she wanted to do.