In 60 AD, with the Rayshift complete, the group arrived in a peculiar timeline. Looking up, they saw the massive halo in the sky, just as it had been in France.
"It's similar to what we saw in France," Romani said through the communicator.
Morpheus muttered, "Similar? It's the same thing."
"You know what it is?" Romani asked, realizing he should've questioned Morpheus earlier. This magician, who'd ventured into the Age of Gods, might know the halo's secret.
"Its theoretical structure resembles the Fifth True Magic. It's essentially energy... think of it as fuel for an engine or mana for magecraft," Morpheus explained.
Romani fell into thought. After a moment, he said, "Got it. I'll discuss this with Da Vinci!"
"Got a theory?"
"Some guesses, but nothing solid. We need to brainstorm!" Romani said, vanishing from the communicator, replaced by Olga Marie.
Olga Marie addressed them, "Confirm your location and era."
Mash quickly checked the data. "The era's correct... first century AD, the Singularity during Nero Claudius's reign, the fifth Roman emperor. No mistake there."
She glanced around the hilly terrain, puzzled. "But our location's off. We're in a hilly area."
"A hilly area? The coordinates should've sent you to Rome's capital. How's this possible?" Olga Marie, equally confused, checked the machine's data, confirming the coordinates were correct.
Seeing their bewilderment, Morpheus spoke up. "Quick question: who did we lock onto? Are we using Earth's coordinates for the Rayshift, or something else?"
"Not coordinates. We used a person as the anchor... Nero, who should be in the palace, so you'd arrive near the capital," Olga Marie explained, pausing to think.
"It's odd. Nero poisoned Agrippina years ago, but it's not late in her reign yet. She shouldn't have left the palace… You should be in the bustling capital, loved by its people."
"It's so peaceful here, I wouldn't be surprised to see sheep grazing," Mash quipped sharply.
Morpheus yawned. "Why the confusion? It's obvious... something's wrong with Nero. She's either been driven out or killed and buried nearby. One of those explains this."
They nodded, admitting Morpheus's logic. Olga Marie said, "True, it's a Singularity... anything's possible. Stay safe and complete the mission quickly!"
"No problem. I can probably punch through this place fast. Mind if we look around, maybe do some sightseeing?" Morpheus asked with a grin.
Olga Marie resisted rolling her eyes. "Gather intel first, then think about sightseeing!"
Knowing Morpheus's strength, she wasn't too strict, only asking them to scout and collect information.
Suddenly, the clash of metal and shouting echoed from afar... sounds of combat and killing.
Morpheus shrugged. "See? Trouble, as expected."
They rushed toward the noise, soon spotting two groups fighting.
One side had overwhelming numbers, the other was small, both marked by crimson and gold, though their designs differed slightly.
Leading the smaller force was a woman in red, her appearance reminiscent of Artoria or Jeanne.
Morpheus knew he'd found their target.
"That's Nero," He said, pointing to the smaller group. "The leader."
All eyes turned to the woman Morpheus identified as Nero. She held off the larger army single-handedly.
No Servant aura... she wielded only human strength, yet displayed such prowess.
Morpheus watched, a smirk forming.
"This world's Beast? The Beast of 666, huh? Shame it's irrelevant to what I need…"
He recalled some pre-reincarnation Fate/Grand Order lore about Nero being the Beast of 666, the Whore of Babylon.
Back then, he'd have been intrigued, but after the Toaruverse, Nero, 666, and the Whore of Babylon held no interest.
As a Golden Dawn magician, with knowledge from his past life... including bits of Thelema magic pilfered from Aleister Crowley... he knew 666 and the Whore of Babylon had no connection to Nero.
"Let's help!" Mash said, raising her weapon. Morpheus nodded, letting Mash and Ritsuka act while he observed, not yet joining the fray.
With Mash's intervention, the battle turned swiftly. The enemy soldiers were mere humans, while Mash, a Demi-Servant, could take on ten or a hundred.
The fight ended quickly. The woman in red shouted, "Enough! The battle's over. Sheathe your weapons!"
She ordered her soldiers to stand down, then turned to the group. "And you... reinforcements from the capital?"
Before they could answer, she continued, "I thought the capital was sealed… No matter. You deserve commendation.
"Even if you were once enemies, I am magnanimous. Past sins are forgiven. Your combat impressed me... especially the girl wielding a weapon nearly her height…
"I'm quite pleased! A strange, indescribable beauty!"
She exclaimed, "Very well, you may fight alongside me. Embrace this supreme honor!"
Morpheus, listening, muttered inwardly.
Good grief, this is Nasuverse's Nero? A woman called the Beast of 666... what a bizarre setup. And her brain… how does it match Nero? This is that tyrant?
He rubbed his nose bridge.
As a twice-reincarnated Briton, Morpheus found this Nero intolerable.
He was certain that if he held Curtana, the sword used in British coronations, he'd swing it at her without hesitation!
But then, he doubted himself.
Is it worth attacking such a foolish emperor?
"Your attire is unusual. A bit revealing? Foreigners, perhaps?" Nero asked.
Leaving negotiations to Mash and Ritsuka, Morpheus stayed aloof, unwilling to engage the Roman tyrant.
As they walked, Nero, now aware they were foreigners, asked, "Where are you from?"
She eyed Mash and Ritsuka. "Britannia? No... doesn't seem right."
She judged not just by appearance but by clothing, which baffled her.
"Chaldea," Ritsuka answered, choosing a vague, mysterious name to conceal their true origins.
Morpheus, seeing Nero's blank look, barely suppressed an eye-roll.
Chaldean oracles aren't that obscure, and she's never heard of them?
After more talk, they learned the situation.
Recently, an organization called the United Roman Empire emerged, waging war against Nero's legitimate Roman Empire, aiming to erase it and take its place.
Their chat, exchanging intel, was cut short as enemies reappeared.
Seeing the massive army, Nero scowled. "Hmph, those impatient United Empire soldiers! Daring to interrupt my voice... utter insolence!
"Go, bold maiden! Be my shield!"
"What?!" Mash froze, glancing at Ritsuka. "Senpai, we're being ordered around already?"
The battle wasn't tough, and Morpheus stayed on the sidelines. Nero didn't comment, assuming he lacked combat ability.
But rest was brief. A new enemy appeared, their aura unmistakable.
A Servant's presence!
A man in golden armor with purple hair appeared, speaking haltingly, as if his sanity had evaporated.
"Dear… my sister's… daughter… ah."
"Uncle!" Nero cried, then hesitated. "No, wait... why call you that? What reason drives you to wander and align with the United Empire, Caligula?"
Mash gasped. "Wait, she called him uncle? Humans and Servants have blood ties in this era?"
While Nero traded words with him, Morpheus briefed Ritsuka and Mash.
"As our journey continues, we witness a thrilling moment: Nero, the Roman king without Rome, faces her uncle, Caligula, the third emperor of the Claudian dynasty.
"Look at Nero's shock. You've probably guessed... Caligula died long ago. So why's he here? Let's watch this Roman tale of love and hate unfold!
"And to the lady surprised about Servants and humans being related... name one Servant without human ties, unless their bloodline's extinct."
Ritsuka and Mash rolled their eyes. Ritsuka quipped, "Morpheus, are you really treating this as a vacation?"
He nodded. "Obviously! Why not sightsee in an era like this?"
Caligula rambled about his reasons, speaking so slowly Morpheus grew bored and drew his bow.
"My… actions… are… fated. Offer… your… life. Offer… your… body," Caligula roared, words dripping with murderous intent. "Offer everything!"
He charged, weapon raised, to fight his descendant. Nero's face showed pain and helplessness. Mash readied for battle.
But before anyone moved, a radiant arrow shot from behind, striking the roaring Caligula.
Its immense force pierced his chest, destroying his heart, ending his life in an instant!
***
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