Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

"For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."

That was the response of Yahweh, the God of Abraham, when Abraham pleaded for Sodom.

Ten—if there were just ten righteous people in that sinful city, God would not bring down His punishment.

Yet, in the end, that grotesquely prosperous city was still destroyed. Sulfur and fire rained from the heavens upon Sodom, annihilating the city, the entire plain, all its inhabitants, and everything that grew upon the land.

This was the end of Sodom. This was the end of sin.

And the Beast of Humanity, named after the sinful city of Sodom from the Book of Revelation—the Beast of Sodom, Draco—was the very embodiment of this evil. She was the incarnation of the Seven Deadly Sins, devouring all prosperity and embracing all ruin.

A city overflowing with human desires—when such ripe fruit was on the verge of rotting, it was the finest feast for her.

Thus, from the moment of her appearance, Draco had remained inactive. After consuming the "collapse of the Roman Empire" as an appetizer, her growing hunger made her eagerly await the next course—the "United Roman Empire." She waited for Chaldea or Sakatsuki to deliver the feast directly to her lips in their efforts to restore the Singularity.

But the "blessing" Romulus left behind before vanishing shattered her sweet dream.

For a human, receiving such a destiny would undoubtedly be cause for ecstatic celebration—to be embraced by Rome, even if only as a fleeting Augustus, was the pinnacle of power and authority.

But for a Beast, forcibly inheriting the United Roman Empire meant shackles. A seal.

Had she arrived in her true form, this mistake would never have occurred. Even if the Divine Ancestor acknowledged her, the successor of the empire could never be the Evils of Humanity—never a Beast.

Yet, at this moment, she was merely a small red dragon who had taken over Nero's slumbering consciousness.

—She, too, possessed the qualifications of a successor.

She could no longer use the United Roman Empire to grow further, because her very existence meant the empire remained prosperous. To deny this would be to deny her nature as a "Beast." Draco could never devour herself—a deadlock had been forged.

The "Beast" could no longer grow, while the "human" governance would only flourish further.

"...This was Sakatsuki's plan all along." On the other end of the communicator, the doctor laid out Sakatsuki's scheme before finally sighing in admiration. "At this point, is there even a need to distinguish between the United Roman Empire and the true Roman Empire? Once Draco's consciousness fades and Emperor Nero awakens, who could deny that this is the Seven Hills, the great empire spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa?"

The emperor Servants summoned by the Holy Grail had all vanished. Even Romulus, after his battle with Sakatsuki, returned to the Throne with grace.

Only now did the members of Chaldea realize—Sakatsuki had, one after another, slain Caligula, Alexander, Darius III, Caesar… and now, the Divine Ancestor Romulus.

Thus, peace was restored to the land.

The governor personally appointed by Nero had fulfilled his promise.

Even if his methods had nearly scared everyone to death...

"No, it's not over yet." Yet, the man who had orchestrated all this was not satisfied. He turned his gaze toward the Stone Sentinel Maze—the capital that even he and Romulus had deliberately avoided during their battle.

"Fujimaru, the Lev you're looking for, as well as the remaining Demon Beasts, are all inside this formation."

Ignoring Draco's visibly displeased expression, Sakatsuki ruffled her golden hair before raising his blood-stained spear, signalling for the Chaldea team to follow him forward.

"Only after eliminating these remnants can I safely take Draco away and restore this Singularity."

Take Draco away. Restore the Singularity.

The two greatest problems plaguing Chaldea were casually addressed by Sakatsuki, who even promised to resolve them—as long as the last Master simply provided support.

Hearing this, Fujimaru's eyes lit up.

Take that back—Sakatsuki is a great guy after all!

Realizing that this was the finale where a veteran would carry them through while they just had to spectate to clear the story and claim the Saint Quartz, Fujimaru suddenly became as energetic as if injected with adrenaline, raising a fist and shouting:

"Everyone, do your best! I'll support you in spirit!"

"Yeah!" The group of tools responded enthusiastically. With Sakatsuki's approval, Waver raised his feather fan and dispelled the Stone Sentinel Maze.

***

Inside the Stone Sentinel Maze – Capital of the United Roman Empire

A capital? What capital?

No trace of prosperity remained—only the ruins left behind by the Beast and the Demon God Pillars in their impotent rage.

Several massive tentacles, resembling twin brothers, sat side by side alongside a half-dragon head, all striking the same pose.

They gazed up at the sky, sensing the wrathful thunder and the icy winds within the Eight Formation.

As if they could see flowers blooming there.

—If they were humans, creative beings, perhaps they could have gathered for a game of cards or chess.

But they were Demon God Pillars. They were the Demon Beasts, one of the seventy-two autonomous terminals of Beast VI/S.

They were lingering remnants clinging to human history—illusions with no future.

After countless failed attempts, all they could do in this merciless pocket dimension was minimize their energy consumption while silently nurturing their malice, waiting for the moment to unleash it.

Even with the Holy Grail, the output of a Servant's Spirit Core couldn't sustain a Noble Phantasm indefinitely. Holding out until now was already pushing their limits.

Lev quietly calculated the time, sneering inwardly.

Once this damned cage was lifted, it would be time for their revenge.

Just you wait, damn Zhuge Liang!

After what felt like an eternity, the steadily operating Stone Sentinel Maze suddenly shuddered—then the clouds and mist dispersed in an instant.

The next moment, an eruption of darkness exploded forth, mingled with murderous intent and hatred so thick it seemed tangible. The world was smeared with ink as chaotic mana surged wildly, radiating from the monsters' bodies—gnashing teeth, thirsting for blood, eyes glaring with malice.

They had to tear that damned Servant to pieces!

With this determination, the massive eyeballs on the Demon God Pillars twitched, quickly locking onto Waver, who stood at the back, looking utterly unperturbed.

"Found you, Zhuge Liang!" Amidst murderous glee, Lev roared, "I'll make you regret betraying me! Perish miserably, you mad dog who bit its master!"

But as he spoke, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

The Demon Beasts weren't moving. Those creatures, who had been even angrier and more resentful than him while trapped, were now cowering like beaten dogs, whimpering and curling up in submission!

Wait… why was Zhuge Liang at the "back"?

Lev froze. His rage-blinded vision finally registered the other figures present.

Elisabeth, holding her microphone-spear, striking a pose as if no one else was around.

Tamamo Cat, enthusiastically offering lap pillow service while massaging the black-haired young man's shoulders.

The white-robed goddess, leisurely strolling as if on vacation.

The golden-haired swordswoman in black armour, holy sword in hand.

The queen of chariots, shield and sword at the ready, exuding majesty.

And—the supreme bringer of calamity, clad in Qin's armour, radiating murderous aura.

The moment Lev appeared, all eyes turned toward him. Then, after exchanging glances, they reached a silent consensus.

This bastard's still acting tough even when he's about to die? Beat him up!

Thus, countless attacks rained down like a storm, bombarding the Demon God Pillar relentlessly.

"Sakatsukkkkiiiii—!" Like a young girl forced into disgrace, the Demon God Pillar trembled in indignation, limbs ice-cold, tears nearly spilling.

What was wrong with this world? What did they, the Demon God Pillars, have to do to earn even a shred of respect?!

Weren't they only supposed to bring one support Servant?!

This was cheating!!!

Beside the battered Demon God Pillar, Fujimaru raised a drink, clinking glasses with the spectating Waver.

Their gaze toward Lev was filled with mockery and pity.

Yeah, the rules said only one support slot.

But who said the Master in that slot couldn't bring their own Servants?

And so, amidst indignant howls, the 72nd Demon God Pillar—Flauros, the Crowned Bomber, Lev—met his end.

A joyous occasion, worthy of celebration.

After venting their frustrations on the pitiful Lev, Sakatsuki left the Demon God Pillar for the other Servants to play with and quietly stepped back, approaching the golden-haired little girl.

Though her face was adorable, the worm-like and draconic creatures behind her bared their fangs at Sakatsuki, hostility undisguised in their eyes.

Unfazed by the overflowing malice, Sakatsuki stepped forward, crouched to meet Draco's gaze, and after a moment, smiled, extending a hand.

"Will you come back with me?"

The conflict between the two empires had ended. The Demon God Pillar was destroyed. The Demon Beasts, under Sakatsuki's watchful gaze, could cause no more trouble.

The "Beast" trapped within Nero's body, unable to break free from Sakatsuki's seals, had been led step by step into a dead end with no chance of turning the tables.

The stage was reaching its finale. The heroine should obediently fall into the hero's arms, utter words of remorse that moved the audience, and then, amidst cheers and flowers, take her bow and exit—returning to the original flow of history.

That was how it should have been, wasn't it?

Yet, Draco remained unmoved, her small face cold as she spoke:

"Know this—I truly despise this sort of behaviour. Standing atop the high ground of assured victory, smugly bestowing pity upon the defeated… completely unaware that the one about to fall is yourself."

The glow of a Command Spell lit up her left hand. Draco stared coldly at the infuriating white-haired general and uttered her final decree.

"Commit suicide, Avenger."

And so—with a "squelch"—

When the other Servants turned back from their joyous beatdown of the Demon God Pillar, they were met with the sight of Draco laughing wildly—while before her, Sakatsuki reversed his grip and plunged his hand into his own chest, seizing his Spirit Core.

Then—crushed it.

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹