Act II – The Eternal Mad Empire of Septem.
Meanwhile, Ritsuka and Mash, carrying out Boudica's will, traveled through Gaul with the Druid. They were uniting the scattered Gallic tribes, replenishing the ranks of the resistance. However, Gaul remained a territory of the "Gallo-Roman Empire," so they had to act secretly, constantly avoiding patrols.
"So, it seems we're done with the northern tribes," the Druid rested his chin on his hand, examining a map of Gaul. "Now the question is: will we crush their garrisons one by one, or will we strike with a single fist right into the heart to decapitate the emperor?"
The tactic of attrition was more effective in the long run, allowing for the gradual erosion of the enemy's strength. However, there was a risk that the emperor would not sit idly by. On the other hand, a swift dash to the capital promised a quick victory – without their leader, the remnants of the army would surrender on their own. But this required breaking through the Gallo-Roman defenses, where the main forces were concentrated. The slightest delay, and they would be caught in a vise by arriving reinforcements.
"What do you think?" the Druid glanced at Ritsuka. "Siege or blitzkrieg?"
Ritsuka paused for a moment, and a spark of an idea flashed in his eyes.
"Both."
The Druid, expecting a clear choice, grinned intrigued.
"Curious. I thought you'd choose one or the other. And how are we supposed to combine the incompatible?"
"We will go to Gallo-Rome."
The Druid nodded understandingly. If Boudica's army and the Gallic militia began attacking the garrisons, it would create chaos. The Gallo-Roman forces would be dispersed to suppress the revolts, and the defense of the capital would weaken. At that moment, a small detachment could secretly infiltrate the city and strike down the emperor.
"The risk is colossal," the Druid remarked. "Failure at any stage will be fatal, and if everything collapses at once, it's the end."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Ritsuka replied.
"A bold one," the Druid thought.
"Alright. I will go to the Queen and convey your plan to her. And just in case, take with you the Servant I managed to win over to our side."
"A Servant?" Ritsuka asked again.
Incidentally, the Druid already knew about Chaldea and Ritsuka's mission with Mash. When they were captured by Boudica, it was he who saved them, whispering barely audibly: "Friends from Chaldea." Remembering this, Ritsuka caught the Druid by the sleeve.
"What is it? I'm in a hurry."
"How do you know about Chaldea?"
The Druid smiled awkwardly, as if recalling something amusing.
"Sorry, now is not the time for long stories. Let's just say: someone asked me to look after you. That's why I know who you are."
The answer was vague and did not bring clarity. "Asked"? Who could it be? Romani? Or Da Vinci-chan?
"Let me tell you right away: it's not who you think," the Druid added. "But rest assured, they are on your side."
With these words, he disappeared.
Ritsuka was dissatisfied with this explanation but decided to put these thoughts aside for now. The primary task was to find the Grail in this singularity and restore the Order of Humanity. Besides, he needed to find Deadpool, who had gotten lost during the ley-shift.
"I hope Wade is alright," Ritsuka sighed.
"Hmm... I don't think we need to worry about him," Mash replied. "Mr. Pool will surely leave us some sign so we can find him."
She was right about that. Deadpool would survive anywhere. Perhaps he had already found the Grail himself, but there was no way to contact him.
"Next time, I'll ask the Doctor to give him a separate communicator."
"Yes, Senpai, I support that proposal."
Suddenly, a heavy, resonant vibration came from the depths of the forest. The ground trembled so violently that birds fell from the trees, and the bushes swayed. Mash and Ritsuka prepared for battle, but then a thunderous roar of unrestrained laughter erupted.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
The rough, energetic laughter approached them with incredible speed.
[Caution! Detecting Servant reaction! Be alert!] – the voice of Doctor Romani sounded in the earpiece.
Servant reaction. Could it be?
Before Ritsuka could finish his thought, a giant with pale skin and a shock of blond hair burst from the undergrowth.
"Waa-ha-ha-ha-ha! So it's you?! The rebel who rose against oppression?!"
The giant wore a bronze helmet, and his entire body was bound by leather straps that looked quite peculiar. His delighted laughter caused an involuntary shiver.
"Y-yes... I suppose..."
"Oh, fellow rebel! I am also a rebel! The one who shatters the chains of Roman oppression! Haha!"
Ritsuka suspected that the stranger was clearly not right in the head, but he, ignoring the guys' confusion, suddenly took off.
"Forward, O rebel! The hour has come to break the chains of tyranny and draw the sword of rebellion!"
He continued to shout about "oppression" and "rebellion" as if wound up. It seemed that madness was his natural state.
[Sorry to interrupt – Romani's voice sounded concerned. – The Servant class is Berserker. Judging by everything, his true name is Spartacus.]
"Spartacus? The very leader of the gladiator revolt in Ancient Rome?" Mash clarified.
Romani confirmed her guess. In Western culture, this hero was a symbol of the struggle for freedom; films and series were made about him. But the screen incarnations of Spartacus usually looked much more adequate.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha! Oh, oppression! Oh, subjugation! Bow before my rebellion! No! This is my own oppression! Then I will rise against it itself! Waa-ha-ha-ha!"
Unlike the Berserker from Fuyuki, Spartacus could speak quite well. However, the skill "Mad Enhancement" had turned him into a person who only heard himself and spouted inspired nonsense that defied logic.
"His outfit... is too eccentric," Ritsuka muttered.
Even Mash was embarrassed looking at such revealing armor.
"This is not shame! This is my will to resist! A symbol of my rebellion against myself! Even the wounds inflicted by the oppressor's blade rise against him! Ha-ha-ha!"
A bad premonition washed over Ritsuka. Could this laughing giant become a reliable ally? But since Spartacus showed no hostility towards them, they could only follow him.
◇
"Wonderful! Western Rome is finished! Now these lands belong to Me! In honor of this great day, I declare a festival!"
The Roman palace was bustling. Tables were laden with exquisite delicacies, beautiful dancers twirled to the sounds of cheerful melodies, and legionaries returning victorious enjoyed sweet wine and triumph.
Nero, surrounded by her retinue, shone brighter than anyone. Now, only Gallo-Rome and Balkano-Rome remained under enemy control. Once they were crushed, the whole world would lie at her feet.
World domination itself did not concern her much. The Empress merely wished for the true art of beautiful Rome to flourish everywhere. A Rome burning with passion, like fire...
"Red Wolf! This is all your doing! Although... no! It's My doing, because it was I who recognized this potential in you! Um-mu!"
"Oh, Emperor-chan, thank you for choosing me. So, should I head north now?"
"You have every right to enjoy My hospitality. Stay here for now."
"Yes, meme!"
Deadpool devoured the treats, washing them down with wine. The death of his "Red Pool Army," "New X-Force," and "Pool-vengers" did not upset him in the least – it was a usual occurrence for him. At the same time, he carefully scanned his surroundings.
The Grail. He needed to find the Holy Grail of this singularity to finish the job. All his battlefield exploits and his status as Emperor-chan's favorite were just a cover to lull vigilance and search for the artifact unimpeded.
"Listen, Emperor-chan, have you ever heard of the Holy Grail?" he asked casually.
"Grail? What is it? Some kind of cup?"
"Yeah! A drinking cup. But not just any, a golden one, from which any wine begins to shine so brightly it hurts the eyes! And the taste becomes... divine..."
Nero frowned in confusion. She raised her bronze goblet, clarifying if this was what he meant, but it was clearly not the Grail. It seemed the empress herself didn't know where it was.
"Things are taking a turn for the worse, guys," he whispered into the void. "My newly assembled 'New X-Force' merged in the very first round. What? You say it became a predictable cliché after the release of 'Deadpool 2'? I don't give a damn about your clichés! Damn author! You're just a killer!"
"Red Wolf, you have a talent for talking nonsense while addressing the void! It's so funny that I forgive you this strangeness. Um-mu!"
Looking at the rambling Deadpool, Nero merely nodded condescendingly. The feast continued. But the lull would not last long. Soon it would be time to conquer Gallo-Rome and the Balkans. The only question was where the Grail was hidden.
◇
Deep beneath the noisy Roman palace lay a giant cavern. In its center stood a colossal tree, its crown supporting the vault like a living column. Over the long centuries, the tree had almost completely petrified, turning into a monolithic stone pillar.
Human figures were imprinted into the trunk of this tree, like unfinished sculptures. The statues looked frighteningly realistic, as if they were living people turned to stone.
The central figure attracted special attention – a huge male silhouette, carved with such precision that it seemed he would move at any moment. This "Man in the Tree" had been known since ancient times; he had always been part of Rome's dungeons.
"Huh?"
One of the guards patrolling the cavern noticed some movement. He brought his torch closer. He thought he saw one of the figures in the tree tremble slightly.
"Did I imagine it..."
As soon as the soldier turned away, considering it a trick of the light, the Man in the Tree opened his eyes.
***
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