"Welcome back, me."
"…"
"Good work today. Shall we rest? I made mapo tofu—it'll do wonders for you."
"…"
"Come on, this way. It's fine—Emiya supervised."
"…"
Uncle?!
"—Resplendent yet virtuous! Grand yet exquisite! A beauty that shames Venus, a brilliance surpassing Apollo! The supreme art embodied! That is the Emperor before you—Nero Claudius! You may praise me! You may extol me! Hmm?"
"…"
The vessel stood silent, as if exasperated. Understandable—Nero rambled unprompted. Jeanne, who spoke only when called, seemed preferable by comparison.
En route to Rome, as Nero bonded with the Master and Mash, a secret channel buzzed with Saber Bride—Chaldea's Nero Claudius—chattering away.
I'd planned to listen later, but her twenty-or-so monologues had already painted a vivid picture of Nero's origins.
Nero Claudius. Full name: Nero Claudius Augustus Germanicus.
Her father, a cousin of the fourth emperor, held no claim to the throne. Yet, her mother's remarriage to the emperor, followed by schemes and assassination, led to Nero's ascension at sixteen—a turbulent rise.
Perhaps due to her roots, she cherished the people over kin. Upon taking the throne, she abolished indirect taxes, reduced levies, and gifted gold to every citizen to celebrate her coronation.
Her generous, vibrant policies won overwhelming support. Even before her reign, as a judge, her fairness and skill earned her admiration despite her youth.
Her brilliance never faded. Her response to the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE was so masterful that even her critics sang her praises.
"Impressive. Diligent, capable—a ruler beloved by the masses," I mused.
"Indeed! Indeed! I loved my people, and they loved me! A love as fierce as Rome's flames!"
Her forceful yet endearing charm made my lips twitch into a smile. Curiosity stirred—what was this Rome, governed by an emperor so devoted to her people?
"All roads lead to Rome." Her oft-repeated phrase echoed in my chest.
The thought of reaching such a vaunted land quickened my pulse.
"Explore Rome to your heart's content! I declare it—Rome has everything! Even you, Hero King, will be charmed!"
"Hmph. A paradise of tax-fed pigs holds little appeal—but wandering new streets is a pleasure of mine. Very well, Nero! This Gilgamesh will savor your Rome!"
"Well said, Hero King! I'm delighted! Thus, Rome expands!"
"Ha! Don't think you can sway Uruk. My treasures and I need no mere waypoint like Rome!"
"A waypoint, you say? Bold words, Golden One! I like you more and more!"
"Naturally! My words weave only truth! But don't forget, false bride—the greatest city is Uruk, none other!"
"Nonsense! Rome reigns supreme!"
"Uruk!"
"Rome!"
"Uruk!!"
"What are they even talking about?" I muttered, casting a pitying glance at Gilgamesh, who seemed to converse with the void.
"Must be tough, Mash, Ritsuka…"
"No, they're a big help!" Mash chirped.
"Exactly!" Ritsuka agreed.
"Really? Still, I can't stand that guy… Doesn't he steal my spotlight?" Nero huffed.
"Fool! Dare claim my origin? I am the origin!" Gilgamesh snapped.
"You heard that?! Sneaky bastard!" Nero shot back.
Their lively march was silenced by a roar.
"Everyone, stay sharp! Servant signatures—closing in fast!"
"!"
"Contact imminent—they're here!"
"—My dance… my flourish… is fate itself."
A crimson mantle, golden armor, and eyes blazing with fervor.
"A Berserker. An emperor of cruelty and tyranny… His True Name is obvious."
"—Uncle…!" Red Nero gasped. Uncle? Did she just say that?
"Nero… Nero…! My beautiful niece… Agrippina's child…"
"Uncle?! How?! A living human, kin to a Servant…?"
"A Singularity. Nothing's impossible here," Gilgamesh replied coolly.
"…No, wait! Let me rephrase! A specter, somehow lost, allied with a false union—Caligula!!"
Caligula… A Roman emperor who fell from wise ruler to tyrant, slain by assassination.
"Caligula?! Impossible! It must be a mistake, right?!"
Nero's voice trembled with shock.
"You're shaken. Is it because your Spirit Origin is tied to the Bride's consciousness?" Gilgamesh asked.
"I'm not shaken! Just… surprised! To think my uncle would stand against me…!"
Her quivering voice betrayed her heart.
"Nero… Nero… Offer everything—your beauty, your body…"
"Fou! (Such passionate pursuit! I could learn from that! But it lacks restraint. True bonds grow from mutual respect!)"
"Fou-san?!"
"Master! Battle stations!" Mash urged.
"Your first Servant fight in this era! Ready?"
"Absolutely! Mash… Your Majesty!"
"—Understood! I won't hesitate! To protect and save Rome!"
Nero brandished her crimson sword.
"No matter the foe—even you, Caligula!!"
"Offer it all—everything!!" Caligula roared.
A clash of frenzied fists and radiant steel erupted.
"…"
"Senpai…!?"
"…Gil! Leave this to me and Mash!"
"What's that?"
"Got a plan?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow.
"Yup! I've got a great idea! Just watch! Mash, let's go!"
"Yes! I'll shield you, Hero King!"
Her eyes burned with confidence and resolve.
"—Very well. Face that madness with your strength alone!"
"Don't overdo it! That's an order!"
"Got it! —Brute force isn't the only way to fight!"
"…(munch munch)"
"…"
"…(munch munch)"
"…More."
"Here."
"…Wanted to do better."
"Yes."
"Wanted to show him I could handle it."
"Yes."
"…Couldn't."
"Mhm."
"…Someday, I'll save him. My way. Only I can."
"Yes."
"…This is spicy… I can eat it, but it's spicy…"
"Yes. I made it extra spicy."
"What's with that… What's with that…"
"Maybe the spice… makes the tears inevitable."
"What's with that… sniff… sob…"
"Yes. Mapo tofu… it's spicy."
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
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