I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [243]

Alice's request to hear about Nero's past put Nero in a bit of a dilemma.

Should she tell Alice about Nero's history… or delve into the past of Phoenix Plume, her identity in another life?

Since the Alice in front of her knew Nero as "Nero," it made sense that what Alice wanted to hear was likely Nero's own story.

"Have I… made things difficult for you, Sister?"

"No, not at all. It's just that I'm unsure of how to start..."

Nero's hesitation had gone on long enough to make Alice visibly uneasy.

Honestly, this timid, overly considerate personality is just like Jasmine's…

Perhaps this was the mark of exceptional upbringing?

"Hm... hm. I've decided on the story I'll tell you."

Hearing this, Alice's eyes lit up with eager anticipation.

"But... I don't intend to share the details of my life before death. That's not a story suited for you to hear. If your retainers or family knew the full extent of my past, they'd surely forbid it as well."

Alice tilted her head, a look of confusion flickering in her gaze.

"Before death?" she asked cautiously. "Sister Nero, what do you mean by before death?"

"Exactly what it sounds like—I am already dead."

"!!!"

Alice's face instantly displayed her shock, a perfectly normal reaction.

"Then… does that mean you're an undead… or a ghost?"

"Perhaps something like a ghost, but more accurately, I am a Heroic Spirit."

"A… Heroic Spirit?"

Alice's puzzlement was evident, so Nero began her explanation.

"In simple terms, a Heroic Spirit is someone who, during their life, achieved great deeds, leaving behind legends or heroic tales. These individuals are remembered by the world, and upon death, they become recognized by the world itself as Heroic Spirits."

After Nero's explanation, Alice's eyes sparkled even brighter than before.

"Accomplished great deeds… remembered through history… Sister, were you really someone that amazing?"

"Of course! Naturally! I'm a genius! I was the best in every field!" Nero declared, crossing her arms over her chest in pride. "Even among Heroic Spirits, I'm absolutely at the top tier!"

"That's incredible!"

Applause erupted from Alice, her gaze full of admiration for Nero. Buoyed by the attention, Nero's mood soared.

"To accept it so quickly—your world must not have a concept of Heroic Spirits, does it?"

"That's because… I trust that Sister Nero would never lie to me," Alice said with a shy, sweet smile.

"So Sister Nero truly comes from another world… or rather, is truly a Heroic Spirit?"

"Exactly. That is the correct way to think of it. As the Emperor who ruled the Roman Empire and brought prosperity to its people, becoming a Heroic Spirit is only natural for me!"

Nero displayed not the slightest inkling of humility.

"Another world… what is it like?"

Having rarely ventured beyond the castle, Alice was filled with intense curiosity about the "other world" Nero spoke of.

"And... about Sister Nero's life before…"

"My past isn't much worth telling," Nero said, waving a hand dismissively. "I doubt you'd want to hear about the time I executed my mother."

Alice gasped audibly, accidentally knocking over the game pieces on the board.

"I'm... I'm sorry..."

"There's no need to apologize. If anyone should apologize, it's me, for saying something so startling."

Nero's tone was calm and soothing. Perhaps thinking back to her days with Jasmine, she instinctively reached out and gently patted Alice's head.

Feeling the comforting touch, Alice visibly relaxed.

"My life was steeped in poison and conspiracy. My mother and the nobles were always plotting to kill me. But they were all disappointed—I climbed from the lowest point to claim the throne and became the Emperor of Rome."

"Even before becoming Emperor, I possessed extraordinary talent. Whether it was art, horseback riding, combat, or music, I excelled at everything! After ascending the throne, I brought happiness and prosperity to my people. The elites despised me, but the citizens adored me."

"In short, my life was perfect! Everything I desired, I achieved with my own hands! Therefore, I died with no regrets!"

Nero spoke with conviction, and she truly believed it.

She had even stated that she had no wish she needed the Holy Grail to grant; her life had no regrets.

She considered herself the ultimate performer, having delivered the most grandiose and splendid performance with her life. Both her entrance and exit were flawless.

If there was one imperfection... it was that her death had been far too lonely.

After slitting her own throat with a dagger, Nero lay in the wilderness, alone, not closing her eyes even after three sunsets.

That was Nero's wish—a small, simple wish.

"In my final moments, I wished for someone to be by my side."

---

"Let's skip over my life before death. Instead, I'll share stories of what happened after… though that phrasing feels odd."

Thus, Nero began recounting her experiences in the world of curses and spirits. She even told Alice about Jasmine.

The chess game on the table was long forgotten, and Alice listened with rapt attention to Nero's tale.

Although Nero considered herself not particularly skilled at storytelling, Alice was utterly engrossed.

For someone who had rarely left the castle, everything about the "other world" Nero described was fascinating. Even if Nero's storytelling wasn't dazzling, it was certainly above average.

Compared to the formulaic tales of "heroes overcoming countless trials to defeat the Demon King or dragon" that Alice had read, Nero's stories were refreshingly different.

Neither of them noticed how much time had passed until Claire arrived to inform them that the banquet was about to begin.

Alice, as the princess, and Nero, as the greatest contributor to the recent battle, were expected to prepare early for the event.

By then, Nero's story had reached the part about the Fox-Masked Spirit.

"To guard its master's peace in death, it turned into a monster and remained at their side for centuries… That's so touching..."

Alice wiped at the corners of her eyes, clearly moved by the tale.

Even Claire, who overheard the story upon entering, nodded solemnly.

"Its devotion to its master is truly admirable... so much so that mere 'loyalty' doesn't suffice to describe it. But the lives it took were innocent. Its sins are undeniable… what a paradoxical being."

Because the events Nero described were so different from anything in this world, Claire regarded the tale as nothing more than an interesting story.

---

T/N: ILL BE BY YOUR SIDE NEROOOOOOO

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