It was an indelible mark in human history.
[Rome].
A city, yet far more than just a city.
"Glory belongs to Greece, greatness belongs to Rome!"
If the kingdom of Uruk under Gilgamesh's rule was the dawn of human civilization in the Age of Gods, the Roman Empire under its emperors was the pinnacle of that civilization's glory.
... How grand was its peak?
Flourishing in the early AD era, even into the 18th century, European nations still argued over "who was the true heir of Rome."
If that's hard to grasp, consider this:
Artoria Pendragon, the king divinely ordained to "save Britannia." ruled over an administrative region fully named [Britannia]... a mere backwater province of the Roman Empire.
At its height, the Roman Empire had 45 such provinces.
Each province was a nation, and each nation birthed heroes like Artoria... and commanding these nations, these heroes, was the [Roman Emperor].
"Welcome, all, to Rome!"
"Since you're here, you must abide by my rules."
It was an utterly unreasonable "Absolute Imperial Domain."
The Emperor extended her will to every corner of the city.
Under this power, even the Chaos Dragon circling the sky was forced into human form to participate in the so-called [Nero Fest].
(Chaos MAX Dragon is immune to everything, but field magic effects don't target.)
"What a tedious sideshow."
Alaric stood on the plaza reserved for competitors, surveying his surroundings.
On the Servant side, aside from the ever-hidden Caster and Nero, who was giving a speech on the high platform, everyone was present.
But on the Master side, only Tohsaka Tokiomi, Tohsaka Sakura, and a white-haired girl Alaric didn't recognize were there.
Jeanne Lily sat at the referee's table, diligently recording each team's score.
"Because of official registration, each [Good Child] gets one point."
"Also, the remaining unregistered contestants have been randomly hidden in this city... don't be fooled by past memories; they could be anywhere, anyone!"
"For each hidden contestant you bring back, you earn +2 points, with a one-day time limit."
"If a contestant isn't brought back by the second day, they gain +5 points."
"Simple rules, right?"
"By the way, the final score combines Master and Servant points... so our team and the Assassin team start with two points!"
…
A game of hide-and-seek.
But, credit where it's due, this simple game of hide-and-seek, in the hands of the "genius" Emperor, gained a surprising "fun factor."
"Berserker, what do we do?"
"Should I keep hiding? Or should you take me to register?"
Irisviel's voice echoed in Alaric's mind, and he could sense her location.
Alaric was certain he wasn't the only one... this must be a "special connection" between each Master and Servant pair.
The same dilemma likely lingered in every "hider's" mind.
"Get found by your own team for a guaranteed low score? Or hide and aim for the top reward?"
Different strategies would shape the outcome, and most wanted a strong start to the game.
As for the Heroic Spirit who had no interest in this game...
"So, are you conceding, Gilgamesh?"
"Hmph, don't be ridiculous!"
"I simply have no interest in such a pointless game!"
The proud King of Heroes pointed to his eyes.
The Omniscient Omnipotent Star... omnipotent, thus omniscient.
If he wished, he could locate every hidden contestant in an instant.
But he didn't.
It was indeed a foolish game... but since even Enkidu was participating, he didn't mind taking it a bit seriously.
"Very well."
"Let the game begin!"
…
At the referee's table, the whistle signaling the start of the game sounded.
The Emperor on the high platform leaped into the crowd below like a nimble lion, searching for the "hiders."
She clearly loved competing and was brimming with enthusiasm.
"My King, may I…"
"Silence, Tokiomi!"
…
Things weren't going so smoothly for Tohsaka Tokiomi.
Though Gilgamesh agreed to join the game, his personality meant he'd act alone. Watching the golden figure fade into the distance, Tokiomi sighed helplessly and joined the bustling crowd.
All of Fuyuki City... no, it should now be called Rome.
This Roman city held about 300,000 people.
Finding a few individuals among 300,000 was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Fortunately, Tokiomi was no clueless fool... he was the overseer of Fuyuki's leylines, with a sensitivity to the spiritual veins beneath his feet.
"Though the name's changed to Rome, the locations haven't."
Using his familiarity with the leylines, he mentally mapped the city's structures onto Fuyuki's original terrain, creating a new composite map in his mind... hoping it would aid his search.
"And us? What do we do?"
Alaric and Artoria exchanged a glance.
Then, both silently turned their gazes to Iskandar, the King of Conquerors.
More precisely, to the ox-drawn chariot beneath him.
... They seemed to have the same idea.
"Hey, what's with those looks?"
Seeing their greedy, almost predatory gazes, Iskandar suddenly recalled the stories his teacher, the renowned "Aristotle." Told him about dragons.
[They are symbols of greed, coveting all things of value in the world, seeking to claim every treasure under the heavens.]
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