"Umm... Hmm, where is this...?"
"You're awake, Nero. Did you sleep well?"
"... Ah, I slept well."
Nero wakes up with a calm face, as if the fatigue has faded. She didn't have any nightmares.
"I prepared bathwater over there, so feel free to use it."
"A bath... it's been days."
After making breakfast on the spot, Nero goes in to bathe. The worst thing during war is the stickiness. Not being able to wash. When you can soak in water once, it's pure bliss.
A short while later, Nero finishes bathing and comes out. She walked out naked, with her body wet. No, this emperor... it's good to be confident in your body, but is she some shameless Gilgamesh? No, she was originally like this.
"Give me a towel."
"Now you're asking comfortably? That's a good development... but I think showing your naked body to a stranger isn't appropriate."
"You don't seem to mind either. Looking at my beautiful body without any issue."
"I'm confident my wives are more beautiful. And, here, the one who gets embarrassed loses... I guess I'm used to this situation. Haha..."
"Hmm, it seems you've been through quite a hell yourself."
She's drying her body here instead of going to the bathhouse. Well, do as you please... I don't get it.
A short while later, Nero gets dressed.
"It's all fluffy..."
"I washed it with runes. It's your only set, right? I can make new clothes, but I don't know your preferences."
I could make a bride-style outfit... but that seems a bit off.
"Hmm, quite versatile... is this today's breakfast?"
"It's Neapolitan pasta."
"A noodle dish... I'm looking forward to it. Living as emperor, I've never eaten such delicious food..."
She doesn't ask if I plan to be her cook... it seems she's given up on returning as emperor. Well, after experiencing such a popular uprising... why would she want to go back? She quietly shines with an expression saying "delicious" and eats her meal quietly.
"I ate well... what do you plan to do now? It will take a long time to get to Britain."
"That's true. But there's a relatively fast means of transportation."
I go above ground with Nero and deploy my Noble Phantasm. As a Grand Class now, I can summon it without issue.
"{Chariot of Erin} (Erin's Steel Chariot)"
A steel chariot pulled by two divine beasts appears with a light.
"Long time no see, Doon~ I'm sorry about Aífe back then... Huh? If you enjoyed eating it, that's enough? Really, Doon, you have a broad heart... Nice to meet you too. Haha, back then we were enemies so I cut you down, sorry."
"Can it understand speech...?"
"No animal conversation, but with intuition and primal runes, it's not difficult. Both are divine beasts. Lower class, but they were once divine spirits."
"Hoo... divine beasts, reincarnations of gods. Incredible beings not seen in modern Rome."
"Right? They exist in the Age of Gods, Celtic times? Come on, let's go."
Nero and I get on the chariot and head towards Britain. It'll probably take a few days... crossing Europe.
Still, better than flying with Vimana and getting intercepted. In the air, even I can't do much.
In the stable, non-shaky chariot, I roughly explain the singularity situation to Nero.
"I see... my death causing human extinction. But, why is everyone trying to kill me... if my existence is important, why do that?"
"That is, simply put, you are a vessel."
"A vessel...?"
"In a way, you've become an emotional trash can. Christians and dissatisfied Romans, among other humans, were incited, leading to witch hunts against you. It's not that you're without fault, but at least to the Romans, you were still a good emperor, right? However, madness tends to spread. Do you know about ostracism in ancient Athens?"
"The story of Aristides..."
Aristides was an excellent politician praised by many Athenians. Just and fair, but... he was exiled through ostracism, voting. Not knowing about him but hearing others praise and commend him, many people became envious and came to dislike him, so people voted, and he was exiled for such a ridiculous reason due to mob psychology.
Mob psychology, bandwagon effect is truly terrifying. The contagion of madness commonly seen even in modern times.
Because of this, myths denying Nero were born, and gradually Nero is being denied as emperor, transforming into the beast of Babylon. This is a mistaken belief. Distorted faith is the scariest thing...
"Say, what do you think... you said you'll protect me to save the world, but what do you think of me?"
"An arrogant, naive tyrant who doesn't understand the world."
"..."
"That's how it was until now. But, I believe anyone can change. You have committed evil deeds, including what you did in Britain, but I believe people can atone and change. You too. I believe you can change."
"... Change, huh. I wonder."
"We'll have to see, but~ Still, I'm on your side. Not to save the world, but because the world hates you, I stand by you."
"Why?"
"A boy chose to become a hero for a girl alone to save her, even though she intended to destroy the world. I'll say I'm similar."
"....."
Nero seems not to understand me, looking sideways at the Roman land. Well, she's not a hero, so she wouldn't understand. How would an emperor who lived arrogantly know... but, I know a little. Inside the arrogant emperor, there's a girl who grew up lonely, unrecognized by anyone.
While continuing forward in the chariot, something is seen in the distance.
"The city of flowers, Florence."
"A city, huh."
This isn't good. If it's a city, we should detour. They know Nero, so they won't be friendly...
Bang!!!
"... This isn't normal."
At that moment, artillery fire comes towards us. A barrage of magical cannons. There are Servants. Not Caster Servants, but mages of this era. It's still an age thick with mystery, comparable to the Age of Gods. In the 5th century, Rome could have overt mage corps, so what about the 1st century?
"They've come... to kill me..."
Using clairvoyance to look far ahead, there's an army. About 10,000... and that woman...
Leading at the front, a woman riding a chariot pulled by two white horses is approaching. Clearly full of hostility, I take out a bow and shoot an arrow.
Whoosh!!!
An arrow cutting through the wind. A red magical arrow flying at supersonic speed is neutralized by a silver sword engraved with spirit words. Colliding with strong force, she grinds her teeth and alters its trajectory. The arrow grazing her cheek pierces the chest of a soldier behind.
She glares at me as if that doesn't matter, and I shower her with a barrage of arrows.
KABOOM!!!!
"... She blocked it. As expected, her fame in this era must be top-tier."
"Certainly, she is strong. A woman determined to bring down Rome with just her will..."
"The Queen of Vengeance, Boudica. The woman who wants to kill me more than anyone in this world... more than my sins. How about just giving up on me? That would be easier for you too."
"A man's word is as heavy as a thousand pounds of gold... I keep my promises. I said it, didn't I? Even if the world tries to kill you, I alone will stand by you. Her anger is justified, but I will stop her."
"I don't understand..."
"No need to understand a hero~"
Gradually getting closer, I stop the chariot. Boudica stands still, glaring at me, then grins.
"You, you're from the same origin as me?"
"Celtic origin, yes, Boudica. Though older than you."
"What's your name? You..."
"Fergus mac Róich. King of Ulster and King of Erin."
"Really? Different from what I know... but you seem to be the real one. As a fellow Celtic queen, I can tell. But... strange? Why are you protecting Nero?"
"Because it's my will. Don't misunderstand? This is not the will of Ulster, Erin, or the Celts, but my personal will."
"You're being deceived... pitiful. How about coming to this side now? My personal revenge, and as a bonus, saving the world? Please, won't you join us?"
Her mouth is smiling, but her eyes aren't. Full of killing intent. That's not a suggestion, it's a threat...
I glance at Nero on the chariot. Nero looks at me with a detached expression as if she's given up on everything. I smile slightly at her.
"That won't do. It's the path I've chosen. Would you mind not insulting me further? Queen of Britannia Iceni."
"That's a shame... we're of the same roots. To have to kill you like this..."
Boudica grips her sword expressionlessly. The moment she directs all her killing intent at me, he appears.
"Oh, who is this! Isn't this a comrade!?"
"Spartacus...? What, you know each other?"
"Ah, yes indeed! A comrade I got along very well with! A proud comrade who resisted oppression together!"
Spartacus. So it was from that side... if he knows me, it must be from the Holy Grail War.
"Comrade, why are you on that side! Join us! Fight again from great oppression with this Spartacus!"
"... Thank you for the offer, Spartacus. You are a hero for the weak. I know, you are a hero who carries out your own justice... that's why it's regrettable. I've decided to become her hero."
"Comrade... you'll become the dog of an oppressor?"
"She was an oppressor. That's a truth I can't deny. But... does she look like an oppressor now? Hated by the whole world, despised, condemned to die, must she die? Do you truly see her as an oppressor?"
"... To me, she still looks like an oppressor. It's retribution. Comrade, what did you see in her to defend an oppressor?"
"Repentance. Anyone can change. She can still change. I know that. If she survives like this, she might become a threat to humanity... but I'm confident that even if she becomes evil, she won't be a threat to humanity."
"Hmm... is that so."
"Why so much talk. Spartacus, no matter what your relationship, he's an enemy now."
"That's right... hmm, that's right..."
Spartacus has a sorrowful atmosphere, as if regretting. After all, we can't avoid a fight...
Bang!!!!
"!?"
"Huh?"
At that moment, Spartacus's giant fist swings at Boudica, and Boudica hurriedly dodges his punch. If hit, it would have been a full-power strike that could have shattered her head.
"Spartacus... what are you doing...!"
"She is an oppressor. That is the judgment. However, I see firm will and conviction in my comrade. He is never a man to become the dog of an oppressor. This Spartacus guarantees it. Therefore, I will trust my comrade. Boudica, you are my comrade and a rebel worthy of respect. But, if you block my friend's path... this Spartacus will receive you with love."
"This is why Berserkers are...!!!"
"Spartacus..."
"Go, comrade. Carry out your conviction. You are always on the side of the weak, Spartacus's friend. The war of that day, the rebellion of that day. The memories with everyone are engraved in this Spartacus's heart. Although we cannot go together, this Spartacus acknowledges and supports your path. Go, my comrade."
"... Thank you. Spartacus."
I quickly get on the chariot, take Nero, and bypass the army. Spartacus blocks the moving army and Boudica alone. He holds off the rebel army for the comrade he believes in...
"From here, this Spartacus will block with love! Rebels who resist oppression. Try to overcome this Spartacus's love...!"
"If you cannot, you are not worthy of my comrade's conviction. Rebels without conviction, this Spartacus cannot acknowledge as comrades."
"Ridiculous... my hatred, my revenge...!? No, that can't be. What does a mere mad warrior know... this hatred of mine!"
"Then prove it with your sword, Boudica! This Spartacus will receive it!"
KABOOM!!!!
The hero for the weak, Spartacus. He took my side. Truly a hero bound by his own conviction.
"You have many allies... unlike me."
"You seem to have some allies too, right? There were people who fought to protect you until the end. For their sake, shouldn't you live? Survive proudly and prove with a smile. That you have a reason to live too."
"A reason to live, huh..."