[269] Royal Expedition Across the Seas
What troubled Nero was never political affairs, but rather the monotonous toil of day-to-day governance.
After the arrival of Sakatsuki, the carefree emperor swiftly cleared the "clutter" from her desk while chatting away.
Once the attendants had taken away the official documents, Sakatsuki rubbed his temples and gazed out the window at the boundless blue sky, gradually sinking into contemplation. Nero didn't interrupt. Propping her cheek with one hand, she tilted her head slightly and smiled as she admired the Governor's handsome face, blood-agate-like eyes, and silver-tinted hair shimmering in the sunlight.
The memories from her dreams were vivid—the gentle touch of the Governor stroking her hair, the perfect blend of a seasoned general's steadiness and a young man's vigor within Sakatsuki, like a finely blended wine exuding a rich and mysterious aroma, intoxicating to the senses.
She longed to break the seal of this exquisite wine and savor its mellow nectar.
Mmm, it would surely be an incomparably delightful experience.
Thinking this, Nero wore a silly smile, completely unaware that Sakatsuki had snapped out of his thoughts and was now watching her amusedly with half-lidded eyes.
'This Rome is surely doomed.'
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty, the guests from Chaldea have returned."
"Ah—oh!" Nero turned and quickly stood up. "They're all back? Perfect timing! It's about time I stretched my legs!"
"Weren't you just at my place earlier?" Sakatsuki rose as well, following the energetic emperor to the hall where they met Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"So, how was the leyline expedition?"
"We ran into some non-corporeal spirits, but with the help of Shadow Servants, we managed to set up the nodes."
Though he lacked the protection of his dear kouhai Mash, Fujimaru's face still shone with unwavering determination.
"Shadow Servants, huh..." Sakatsuki mused.
While the concept of Fujimaru summoning Shadow Servants for combat was first introduced in the 'E Pluribus Unum' pseudo-singularity of 'Shimousa,' it was clear that in this bleak timeline without Mash, Fujimaru had mastered this ability early on, granting him a means of self-defense before finding lone Servants.
Once Sakatsuki and Fujimaru finished their exchange, Nero eagerly joined the conversation and revealed her plans:
"Apologies for asking so soon after your return, but I'm preparing to lead an expedition to Gaul! Of course, it wouldn't mean much if I didn't go myself. The goal is to inspire our hard-pressed troops and lend them my strength. I'd like Fujimaru and the Governor to accompany me. Well, you'll come, won't you?"
"Of course. In fact, I'd prefer to be deployed to the front lines as much as possible," Fujimaru replied without hesitation. "Lev Lainur is our enemy. We can't let the man who mercilessly killed the Director get away."
Through conversations with Nero, Chaldea had learned that the United Empire's forces included a powerful magic-wielder. Given that Lev possessed a Holy Grail, it was highly likely he was hiding in the heart of the United Empire.
"Good, understood. This wish shall be granted by none other than I—Nero Claudius! I shall also pray to Rome's gods and the Divine Ancestor to bless your success in vanquishing our foe!"
Delighted by Fujimaru's agreement, Nero laughed cheerfully, all the while stealing glances at the impassive white-haired Governor.
Whether it was expected or not, her Servant shook his head and declined.
"Sorry, Fujimaru, Master. My messenger arrived earlier today with news—I must cross the Mediterranean and launch an expedition deep into the United Empire's territory."
As mentioned before, after purging the remnants of the enemy within Rome, Sakatsuki had dispatched troops to infiltrate enemy territory, planning to strike in coordination with the Roman Empire's forces.
That very morning, the messenger had finally brought word, so Sakatsuki, who had been idling in the palace, would now don his armor once more and ride to the battlefield.
Gaul was one of the frontlines against the United Empire, while Sakatsuki's infiltration deep into enemy territory would significantly relieve pressure on the heroic commanders holding the line—as well as Nero, who was about to join them.
Understanding this, Nero didn't try to stop Sakatsuki. After a brief moment of disappointment, she flashed another radiant smile:
"Mmm, then I shall await good news from the Governor! Do take care of yourself. Messenger—"
"At your service!"
"The Emperor shall lead this expedition personally! Make haste with the preparations!"
The emperor, clad in her crimson gown, thrust her right hand forward with spirited flourish.
"As you command!"
...
...
A lone rider came, and a lone rider departed.
Free as the wind, untethered as the clouds.
Watching the figure disappear into the distance, the golden-haired emperor finally withdrew her gaze.
"Is he your Servant, Emperor Nero?" Fujimaru asked beside her.
"Yes, a dashing fellow who rode in on a white steed and saved me in my hour of need. Even if he won't say it, I know he launched this expedition for my sake. Mmm, it makes me very happy!"
"Is that so..." Fujimaru murmured, saying nothing more.
Even as the young emperor's face wore a complicated smile—a blend of pride and loneliness.
He was Chaldea's last Master, the lone savior of the world—a role that left no room for such beautiful emotions.
"Still, to earn the affection of an emperor as a Servant..."
"That's a truly beautiful way of being, for both of them." On the other end of the communicator, the Doctor took a bite of his treasured strawberry cake and smiled flawlessly.
***
The Imperial army's main force began its march. Meanwhile, deep within the United Empire's stronghold—the palace near Madrid—an unexpected guest arrived.
"Nero... Agrippina..."
With a ruined body and shattered sanity, Caligula staggered step by step down the palace halls. From his throne, the brown-haired man gazed down with displeasure.
"Foolish Berserker. Have you the gall to return now?"
In response to the man's taunts, the Berserker—or rather, the husk of the Berserker—reacted.
Amidst an overwhelming surge of magical energy, countless "new sprouts" burst forth from Caligula's body.
They were massive tentacles covered in glowing blue eyes, like demonic scales, with thorn-like protrusions resembling "Demon Spears" growing where the eyes clustered.
Faced with this grotesque proliferation, the brown-haired man showed no fear. Instead, he sighed in admiration:
"Oho, what a marvelous form! Such density of magical energy, such principles of composition—so familiar, yet so alien! Could this be—?"
The next moment, his expression shifted abruptly. He dropped to one knee in reverence, bowing his head.
"All hail my king!"
A sinister shadow descended. When the man rose again, his eyes had darkened into a dull gold.
"This presence—a Beast bearing the same primordial sin as I?"
The tentacles writhed, delightedly feeding on Caligula's agony to fuel their dialogue.
The man, now puppeted by an unknown entity, remained silent. Only his eyes flickered faintly, engaging in some form of communication with the visitor until an understanding was reached.
"To break free from your bonds? Ah, but that is the power of the moon itself. Only such a miracle could imprison you."
"Very well. All I require is the stability of this Singularity. If it's you... then go ahead. Take it, feast upon that malignancy to your heart's content—"
Golden eyes pierced through past, present, and future, yet grew clouded by the presence of one individual.
"Oh? Someone interferes with my observation? Merely a vengeful spirit from the ancient East... No, that's not it. He is but one of the wedges suppressing humanity's evils. Something deeper lies within him... How intriguing."
"Regardless, resistance is futile. The incineration of human order is already a certainty."
"This Singularity is yours. Do not disappoint me."
Two ultimate Beasts communed here. As their pact was sealed, the golden eyes faded, the tentacles retracted, and all returned to calm.
The skies of Rome remained as blue as ever.
***
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