I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [258]

"Excellent! Another beautiful maiden has joined my Roman Adventuring Party! What a delightful outcome!" Nero declared joyfully, addressing Alice and Yunyun.

"Y-Yes! I'm so happy! Honestly, I feel like crying. I'm so glad I came to Axel and posted that notice at the Adventurer's Guild…"

Yunyun's crimson eyes glistened with emotion, and Alice stepped closer, gently patting her on the back to help her calm down.

"I understand, I understand," Nero said, nodding sagely. "Finding companions you can entrust with your life is truly a great blessing. That, alas, is something I cannot do. As an Emperor, I am destined to stand alone, peerless and unmatched… Ugh, thinking about this is making my head hurt again."

Nero winced, touching her temple as if plagued by an invisible ailment.

Hmm… If only I had a Holy Grail, it might alleviate this persistent headache. Why didn't I feed myself a Grail back then?

Oh, right! I fed them all to that other woman with my face—Morgan. I even leveled her to 120! Not only did I use up every Holy Grail, but I almost threw up grinding Ember missions. Why does leveling beyond 100 have to be such a nightmare?

I really was such a biased Master, wasn't I?

"Now that we have a new teammate, surely you all know what the first order of business is, yes?" Nero asked, snapping herself out of her reverie.

"Yes! Yes! I know!" Yunyun raised her hand enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling like a student eager to impress her teacher. "We should take on a quest to practice teamwork and familiarize ourselves with each other's abilities!"

Normally, getting to know a teammate's capabilities was a crucial step before officially adding them to a party. If they proved incompatible, the arrangement could be reconsidered. This was how Megumin had been handling things recently—joining multiple groups for quests, only to be unceremoniously kicked out afterward.

But Yunyun's induction into Nero's team skipped this process entirely.

Nero already felt she knew Yunyun well enough and, based on her understanding of the world's combat capabilities, didn't consider most threats significant enough to endanger her.

As Yunyun finished her eager answer, Nero's expression shifted into a mischievous smirk.

"That's a very reasonable suggestion… but incorrect!"

"Eh?!"

Seeing Yunyun's stunned expression, Nero continued, her smile growing wider.

"Your suggestion is irrelevant! The most important thing when welcoming a new teammate is, of course, a celebration! Let us hold a Nero Festival! We'll invite the entire town to share in my joy!"

"Th-There's no need to go that far!"

Yunyun, blushing furiously, waved her hands in panic. She was shy by nature, and the thought of the entire town celebrating her joining a party made her feel mortified.

Imagine planning a quiet birthday party with a few close friends, only for one of them to rent out every billboard in the city and hire a blimp to fly overhead with your name in giant letters. Romantic for some, but absolutely embarrassing for most.

"…You're right. Hosting a Nero Festival would require extensive preparations. If only I had a Holy Grail—it would make everything so much simpler. I could compel the entire town to participate effortlessly."

Realizing the impracticality of her idea, Nero conceded, much to Yunyun's relief.

"Still, we must have a proper celebration. That is non-negotiable! After all, celebrations are part of what makes Rome!"

With her excitement rekindled, Nero clasped her hands dramatically.

"It may not be a Nero Festival, but I shall still make this the greatest celebration in the world! I will even perform a song! A concert dedicated to Yunyun alone!"

Yunyun's attention remained fixated on Nero's impassioned declaration, oblivious to the way Alice's expression had turned increasingly complex.

"Yes! The Light of Rome! The finest, most talented musician in existence! I shall sing a song of my boundless joy for you, Yunyun. Dance and cheer as much as you like! Even the gods would envy such a divine gift!"

"Now that I think about it, Alice has heard my heavenly voice before, but you haven't. Such inequality is unacceptable! As a wise and just Emperor, it is my duty to right this wrong!"

Alice frowned deeply. After a moment of inner turmoil, she decided she had to warn Yunyun.

However, when she turned to speak, she froze.

"F-Friend… Friend…"

Yunyun's face was flushed crimson, and her eyes glowed with an intense light. She seemed to be in a strange, euphoric state.

"R-Really? Nero, you truly consider me your friend? Can I tell others with confidence that Nero Claudius is my friend? Without fearing thoughts like, 'What an idiotic question,' or, 'Why is she so casually calling me by my name when we've just met?'"

"Of course! When I invited you into my party, it should've been obvious! Besides, do you think anyone who isn't my friend could possibly qualify as my audience?"

Nero's tone was as if the answer was self-evident.

"Friend… Friend! I finally have a friend! No longer will people call me 'the lonely weirdo destined to die alone.' No longer will I talk to the potted plants on my windowsill because they're my only confidants. I finally…"

The air around Yunyun seemed to grow heavy with emotion.

Suddenly, she grasped Nero's hand tightly, her glowing red eyes staring directly into Nero's.

"I'll listen! I'll listen! A song from my friend welcoming me… My life feels complete. Even if I die right after hearing it, I'll have no regrets. I'll record it and replay it every year on this day. Oh, thank you…"

"You're very enthusiastic about my concert, aren't you? I'm flattered!" Nero replied, smiling brightly. "But a recording could never capture the essence of my performance! Still, since you're so dear to me, I'd happily sing for you anytime you wish!"

"Nero… Nero… I'm so glad I met you…"

Watching the two embrace, Alice—having realized the futility of her warnings—sighed and let her thoughts drift.

Some people are determined to self-destruct. You can't stop them.

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T/N: ooooh so Morgan is his strongesttt servant I see I see