Part 100: Update LXXXVI - The serious stuff
Update LXXXVI - The serious stuffThis update covers the events of Update L to LI.
Music: Fourth Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor
For the remainder of today, I make sure to gain not one...
...but two levels to grab Nero's next skill. Both of her other Fount skills have been move buffs, so odds are that the next one will be the same.
And let's be real here, this is Extra. It isn't going to be used in a serious fight so I might as well get it now so I can show it off tomorrow and never touch it again.
*Chuckle* We've retrieved both Triggers. I cannot wait to see their faces when we arrive at the Coliseum.Beyond that, I just need to grab the Trigger.
Although it turns out that I was wrong about Golem-types not respawning. They do respawn, but at a much slower rate compared to every other enemy in the game. Considering that Golems tend to be placed in unavoidable spots, I guess this was just a bit of mercy from the devs to make it harder for you to trap yourself with no heals or Escape Crystals.
Music: School III
Thank Rani real quick.
And get Nero's penultimate Skill.
Was it worth it?
Well it completes the trifecta and gives Nero a buff for every type of attack, and Stun is a good ailment. (as Tamamo can attest to) The catch is that 50 MP is a bit of a big ask for Nero, plus getting unlocked in the back half of the game means it has to compete with Extra's endgame Skill spam.
But before we test it out: this week's decor item.
It has a different look than Tamamo's! I was worried they'd just go back to asset reuse for such a small thing.
Music: Fourth Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor
have never been able to abide the sweltering dampness of a jungle!I had to go deep into the Arena to find a suitable enemy.
Turns out that finding something that A) uses multiple Attacks in one round and B) doesn't die instantly to Nero's jacked Strength is rather difficult!
Bit awkward, but this'll do for a first run
The Skill doesn't lie, the Guards really do Stun.
Twice in a row too, so it has good odds of proccing.
After all, it is but a brief trip to return to the comfort of our room. I want you to now use...that item.No, we have testing to do.
Sandstorms are perfect for more in-depth tests on Fount of Chronos.
As Weather Drive-type AI loves to use the same move multiple times, letting me easily get a ton of Attacks to counter.
A good number of fights later, and Chronos has yet to fail even once.
The problem is that Nero's stun is... kinda pointless compared to Tamamo? Like, Tamamo wanted the enemy locked down as much as possible so she'd have free turns to leech MP with Spirit Theft or to prep a Merciful Sky. The only thing Nero can really do with that free turn is hit the enemy again, and you can get the same result by just using a Skill. Plus, Nero only having Stun against one move means that you're entirely dependant on Attack-heavy patterns showing up. No attacks? You just wasted 50 MP, which is just shy of a Thunderous Applause.
Music: None
Her voice is quiet. I've never seen Saber so serious and sincere as she is now. Her diamond-briqht eyes cut into mine as she announces she desires to entrust her finest weapon to me. We are facing an Elimination Battle. Although we have robbed them of stealth, we may very well lose. ...The fault is not yours. You have matured sufficiently. The one who lacks polish is your blade.
I wish for my full strength in order to defeat those assassins. And so, it is time you learned my true name.
...To reveal one's Noble Phantasm is tantamount to speaking one's true name. Perhaps I have put this off so long because I was afraid of letting you know my bad reputation. However, that fear has vanished. I believe that you will still fight with me once you know.
It took a bit longer than with Tamamo, but we finally got Nero's next Matrix level!
That is why...until then, I will not speak my own true name as I do not wish for you to know of it. After we emerge victorious from this battle in the Coliseum, I will speak my name—As Nero implies, the night time chat after beating Julius will net us Nero's level 3 Matrix. Regardless of Servant, you'll always walk out of Week 5 with level 3.
We then get the same Noble Phantasm tutorial.
Once used, your foe will take damage and their strength and endurance will weaken over the course of three turns.
But Nero's has a different activation requirement than Eightfold Blessings. Debuffing enemy stats is also a lot more useful than Tamamo's free Skills.
Aestus Domus Aurea: Golden Theater of the Deranged posted:
A theater based on the palace Nero had built after her original one burned to the ground. Called the Domus Aurea, it was a grand villa built upon the ruins of the homes of the aristocracy that once covered the famed Esquiline Hill.
Historical accounts paint Nero as somewhat delusional, and she herself has claimed that she was an artist and performer of such incredible gifts that only the god Apollo could match her skills. She would often perform for the masses, but those spectators would frequently leave midway through her performances. She was so enraged by this obvious act of disrespect that she would order all entrances to the theater in which she was performing to be sealed until the final curtain fell.
This Noble Phantasm is based on the highest and most difficult principles of thaumaturgy and superficially resembles a Reality Marble, though its effects are far more pronounced. It creates a reality in which ones imperial aspirations can be fully realized.
Character Background posted:
Nero reigned as emperor during the years 54 to 68 AD. Although most surviving contemporary accounts paint her as a vicious tyrant who disregarded the Senate and violently oppressed the nascent Christian movement, many scholars believe that these accounts were an attempt to discredit her, as she was incredibly popular with the citizenry.
Whatever the case, her infamy is such that some theorize that the Book of Revelations found in the Vulgate Bible was written as commentary on and reaction to her supposed repression of the Christian faith, and have gone so far as to make the case that Hebrew pronunciation of her imperial name (Caesar) —NRVN QSR— is the same as the phrase ”Number of the Beast.” However, this has been proven to be patently false, as that term commonly referred to Rome itself, and not to any one individual, royal or otherwise.
Music: Duel - Prelude to Confrontation
But I must say I find all of this somewhat boring. Wouldn't you agree, Saber?
This journey would be far too boring and unendurable without interesting conversation along the way. So why don't I ask the obvious question in place of my Master, then?
...
...My purpose? Seeing to it that Leo makes his way to the Holy Grail safely— That is my purpose. Considering your demeanor, I'd expect a far more convincing lie. I guess you're only coldblooded in murder. ...What did you say? Hmm...I guess you're right to be offended. It was wrong of me to accuse you of any falsehood.
The truth is: You don't care if anything happens to him. Am I right? ... I see no concern of any kind for Leo, or anyone else, in your eyes.
Hey, Assassin. Wouldn't you refer to that as "lacking polish"? A pity, that. He is quite good looking. Hahahahahahahaha! Young lady, I couldn't have said it better myself! ...This is asinine in the extreme.
Music: Duel - Kill Or Be Killed
Indeed, you do better not to restrain yourself to your delicate Master's limits. You are weaker than a traitor king's manservant before the emperor... Weaker than a candle's flame! And...
As if YOU could defeat US! In one strike, you will understand my martial arts prowess—
Video: Week 5 Elimination Battle (Saber ver.)
What strong words, Saber. I'll enjoy this. This play is over. Die like a dog.The fight against Li is much the same as last time. Throw out a hack(16); whenever Li has a chance of using his NP, use Skills on unknown turns.
So let's just skip ahead a bit, shall we?
That effect sounds nice, right?
Music: Saber - Everything Is In Her Hands (You should listen to this.)
2.4K damage for free is certainly nothing to sneeze at! And since it counts as an attacking Skill, it avoids the issue Eightfold Blessings had and lets me set up without giving the enemy a free hit on me.
But that thing about Attacks ignoring Guards?
Yeah, that's a straight up lie. What it actually means is that Theater of the Deranged itself ignores Guard so you don't have to worry about losing half your damage on a once-per-fight attack. Past that, it just cuts an enemy's Strength and Defense like the tutorial said.
The downside to Nero's NP is, hilariously enough, her own strength. Her damage output at this point is so high that by the time I'm able to use Theater of the Deranged, whatever I'm fighting is already close to death.
Hell, the only reason Li survived this turn was because of his own Defense buff!
But that just means I can go for a suitably flashy finish.
See you in Week 7!
Music: Down to Dawn
I can't hide my astonishment when she repeats her name. Nero Claudius. Fifth emperor of the Roman Empire. A decadent tyrant who indulged in every luxury and pleasure. A dilettante artist who persecuted Christians and tried to disassemble the core of Rome, the Senate— As a result, Nero was accused of treason, abdicated the throne, and ran off to commit suicide. ...How could Emperor Nero, who met such a pathetic end, be the same person as this girl? ...Or could it be I don't want to imagine her being in such despair she would take her own life? *Chuckle* We share such a bond, Master. I know what you are thinking. Yes, I was a tyrannical emperor who injured the lives of many, and who met an ugly end. I will not deny the facts, neither should I be ashamed of them. I have my regrets, but I was true to myself through everything, and that is all that matters. She's just so...strong. Her heart doesn't waver, totally unlike mine. Anyway... Whatever happened to Saber not wanting to let me know about her bad reputation...? I-I said that because your opinion matters to me! Though I am not one to cave to others' assessments! Saber clears her throat with a loud cough and straightens herself up. The girl whose small body bore the burden of an empire at age seventeen places a hand to her chest. —As if checking her heart.
Unlike Tamamo-no-Mae being linked to Amaterasu, Nero being called the Whore of Babylon is more of a Nasu-ism.
On account of, you know, Nero being a man in actual history.
It hurts, but if you dislike me, I will simply work hard enough to become worthy of your love! O-Oh yes, I can endure this pain for you! Just watch, one day I will take your heart! Saber squeezes her fist firmly in declaration. She looks like a child who's trying really, really hard not to cry. Wh-Why do you smile?! A-Anyways, I have given you my name! Even a poorly regarded emperor is still an emperor, and I will defend you proudly as the best of Servants! As a part of history, her life has been criticized for millennia. However, she is not ashamed. Saber is unerringly proud. Because no matter what sort of life she led, it was one that she embraced grandly and therefore it could never be unsightly. ...That's true. When I first met Saber, I was gasping for life on the floor, thinking, "I can't die yet," but she looked at me proudly. She embraced me and my situation. She offered her hand to me, and came to the aid of my spirit. ...Though it feels so long since we met, the memory is vivid. So what if she's got a bad rep and thinks she's a whatever of Babylon? Doesn't matter. I mean, no matter what Saber's name or past might be, her pride and confidence are unshakable. 
Thank you, Master. You've made me happy. I will never betray the trust you have in me.I really like this scene! In contrast to Tamamo, who hides her past under layers upon layers of deceptions, Nero fully acknowledges the mistakes she made in life and even understands if that would put Hakuno off and swears to better herself!
...Shame that her future characterization throws all that out...
The Great Fire of Rome posted:
July 19 , 64 AD.
A devastating fire erupted in one of the poorer districts of Rome and quickly spread throughout the city, reducing most of it to ashes. Contrary to popular belief, Nero quickly responded to the disaster and even contributed to relief efforts out of her own personal funds. While she became immensely popular with the common citizenry, her populist policies combined with her sometimes bizarre predilections earned her the ire of not only the higher castes, but also of historians who insist on painting her as a tyrant.
Nero the Tyrant posted:
Taking the name Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus upon her ascension to the imperial throne, she was the fifth emperor of the Roman Empire and the last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, who had ruled Rome since its inception.
The daughter of the cousin of the fourth emperor Claudius, she was put upon the throne at the age of seventeen as a result of the devious scheming and possible mariticide by her mother, Julia Augusta Agrippina. Once on the throne, she immediately began to demonstrate her talents at administration as well as her ability to navigate the often murky political situation inherent in Roman government.
In addition to the above, Nero was also generally acknowledged to be a consummate diplomat who preferred discussion and compromise to warfare and conflict. She was held in especially high esteem by both the peoples of Britannia and the leaders of the nations of Persia, who continued to refer to Rome as the "country of Nero" long after her death.
While popular abroad and with the lower castes at home, the Senate and the higher caste members of the empire grew weary of her populist policies, extravagant expenditures on public entertainments, and occasionally irrational repression of religious expression. In the year 68 AD, a series of revolts drove Nero from the throne and eventually to suicide. It was said that in her final hours she continually expressed her anguish that an artist such as herself had to die, but as those who betrayed her closed in she quoted a line from Homer's Iliad ("Hark, now strikes on my ear the trampling of swift-footed coursers!") and then drove a dagger into her throat.
Next time: Did everyone miss Week 6? No? Too bad!