"Prisma Illya, don't let your guard down! Cover your ears!"
White Lancer Artoria held Prisma Illya protectively against her chest. She had even summoned her horse, solely to escape quickly. If not for her high-rank Magic Resistance, she likely wouldn't have been able to resist at all.
In truth, Nero hadn't launched a true attack with her Noble Phantasm. She had merely intended to unfold her stage. However, within that stage, Nero gained immense buffs. The entire Golden Theater also came with powerful spatial lockdowns and Mental Pollution. Among the three Servants, Medea, who lacked Magic Resistance, was instantly incapacitated. Medusa and White Lancer Artoria, relying on their B-Rank Magic Resistance, managed to catch a brief respite, evade the spatial lockdown, and escape with Illya.
Nero had reacted instantly, trying to stop them. Medusa chose to stay behind as a rearguard, leaving only White Lancer Artoria and Prisma Illya to escape. Miyu and the unconscious Illya hadn't managed to get out in time.
"I can't... This voice... it's echoing in my mind!"
Prisma Illya's eyes began to glaze over. Nero's singing had always been grating enough to cause physical discomfort and Mental Pollution. But now, enhanced by an external Authority, its effect was far more than a simple sum of its parts. In her current state, Prisma Illya had no way to counter it. She felt the song teetering in a quantum state between unbearable and beautiful. Her remaining sanity screamed that this was completely abnormal—she was afraid she was about to become one of Miss Nero's fans.
"Hold on a little longer! We'll escape soon! Then we can wait for Jiang You's support! If it's him, he'll definitely be able to solve this!"
White Lancer Artoria wasn't actually confident. Nero's problems had started right after being summoned through the Duel. But hope was something that could grant strength, and White Lancer Artoria understood this, wanting to encourage Prisma Illya. Given Prisma Illya's physical condition, it was already impressive that she had lasted this long.
"Illya will do her best!"
Prisma Illya didn't want to be a burden to Sister White Lancer Artoria.
"It's alright now. I'm here."
Jiang You's voice reached their ears. Though he often seemed like the type to stir up trouble for no reason, he was always incredibly reliable when it mattered. The two of them instantly felt a wave of relief, but all they saw before them was a long, dark corridor. There was no sign of Jiang You.
"Hold on a sec... Why are they pulling this Magic World stunt now?"
Jiang You was in the same situation. He could sense the two of them nearby but couldn't see them. He had returned to the Surface World using his Authority, so he quickly figured out how to get back.
"Wait there. I'll be right over."
Jiang You felt as if he had passed through a layer of water, much like traversing between Worldlines. In an instant, he arrived in the Magic World where White Lancer Artoria and Prisma Illya were.
"Okay, we'll—"
White Lancer Artoria's joy was short-lived. Around the corner ahead, an indescribable shadow emerged. In an instant, a torrent of intuitions flooded her mind. Her consciousness told her the thing before her was like stone, yet also like a tree, and even like a person. It was all inorganic matter, yet also all organic matter.
It was Absolute Chaos.
The sensation was even more intense than the reaction Nero had triggered in her. White Lancer Artoria felt the very rules of the world dissolving into disarray. The feeling was impossible to describe—it was as if she were no longer herself, her thoughts spiraling into utter confusion.
"Jiang You! Prepare yourself! An enemy!"
White Lancer Artoria knew this entity was far more terrifying than whatever had possessed Nero. Escape was likely impossible now. She decided to risk everything and launched an attack against the unknown presence.
Mana Burst at maximum output—this was the most powerful charge she had ever unleashed.
"Enemy? Where?"
Jiang You had just arrived when he saw a blinding golden light, filling the entire corridor, surging toward him like a tidal wave. He recognized the magical power instantly—it was White Lancer Artoria's.
"Huh?"
White Lancer Artoria felt her Holy Lance strike the enemy, but in that same instant, all her power vanished completely. Her charge, as if stripped of its process, came to an abrupt halt, defying even inertia.
At this close range, White Lancer Artoria finally recognized the figure before her—it was Jiang You.
"It's you!?"
She was utterly astonished. Illya, still in her arms, was resisting Nero's overwhelming sonic assault and hadn't fully recovered, so she showed no reaction. However, being so close to Jiang You, the unsettling sensation made it almost impossible for White Lancer Artoria to hold her Holy Lance steady.
"Of course it's me. Who else could it be?" Jiang You retorted, looking at the grimacing White Lancer Artoria.
But as soon as he spoke, considering the background noise, he roughly understood what had happened. Nero must have deployed her Noble Phantasm. What a troublemaker.
Jiang You was about to explain, but White Lancer Artoria was already at her limit. She was in close proximity to the Outer God Apex (a weakened version—though technically enhanced, Jiang You was merely borrowing the Spirit Origin, embodying his current understanding of Azathoth. He was powerful, but not invincible. To put it definitively, he was on par with a Grand-class Servant, with combat power approaching the TOP tier, as the protagonist lacked significant martial arts or Skills).
"I know it's you... but I never imagined even you would..."
White Lancer Artoria steeled her resolve. A corrupted Jiang You posed too great a threat to the world. Nero could destroy one world at most, but Jiang You could erase all of history.
"Jiang You, for the sake of this world, I must strike you down here!"
Her Spirit Origin began to burn, transforming into a surge of immense magical power.
"The time I've spent since you summoned me has been wonderful. The 21st century is fascinating. If I could, I would have loved to stay with you all longer, to see more of the world and meet more people as an ordinary girl. Thank you... Jiang You."
The Holy Lance was fully released, preparing for a full-power strike fueled by her burning Spirit Origin. This was the greatest effort she could muster. Once this attack was unleashed, she would completely dissipate, regardless of the outcome.
"So, for the sake of the Jiang You who once was, and for the sake of this world, please depart here—Holy Lance, Unlea—"
"Wait, wait, hold on!"
Jiang You frantically waved his hands. Why wouldn't this White Lancer Artoria even give him a chance to speak? The whole scene felt like a final battle. Does someone in FGO always have to sacrifice their Spirit Origin to launch an attack?
This was precisely the effect White Lancer Artoria had intended. Jiang You's current existence radiated severe Mental Pollution. She couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences if she allowed herself to listen to his words.
Just as she was about to strike, Jiang You activated his signature move.
"I accept your duel!"