Getting everything set up in the first place had been the first challenge. After retrieving his Chaldean Arms and making his escape from Cato’s room, he snuck over to Asisculus’s quarters. Thankfully, it was in the same building, and it was the central room – incredibly easy to find. And with the fuss Cato and that soldier had kicked up, he had plenty of leeway to search the room, especially with the legate gone to oversee the defenses.
That was his first inkling that something else was afoot. Maybe it was for an act, but why would he still be overseeing the defenses so dutifully if he was a traitor?
At any rate, the room had a treasure trove of evidence for Ren – Correspondences and letters with Waver, ongoing communications with the officers, complete with names, and even records and details of where Ren would be. He looked around for any bottles of poison, but his Third Eye didn’t mark any locations. He still had plenty of evidence regardless.
Using his grappling hook, it was a simple matter of making it back to Nero’s room via the balcony. Loki was leaning there, only glancing at him as Ren pulled himself up. The emperor on the other hand beamed as Ren stepped in. “Like a phantom in the night, you elude those seeking your life and furthermore, bring to bear everything against them!” she cried. “You truly are a creator of miracles!”
Ren chuckled as he waved off the compliments. “All in a day’s work,” he replied. However, looking closely at Nero, her face was pale and her eyes bloodshot with dark shadows underneath her eyes, marring her usual beauty. The siege had been taking its toll on her, and what Loki told her probably hadn’t helped in the slightest.
Her expression molded into a face of indignant rage. “Now, centurion, who dares lays a hand on you?” she demanded. “Loki has informed me you have taken upon yourself to find the culprits. Do you have the findings?”
Ren’s lips pressed in a grim line. After a moment’s hesitation, he handed over the papers he found and waited in silence as Nero sifted through, her eyes quickly scanning the document back and forth. Then her eyes widened as she sifted again, rereading everything. “You… you did not forge this, did you, Ren?” she asked, her voice faint.
“I didn’t,” he quietly confirmed.
Nero staggered over to her couch and collapsed, the papers falling down onto the table. Her hands buried into her face. “How many,” she whispered. “How many must leave me? I give all my love, all my heart to my empire. I treasure its people as greatly as my own life. My people, my empire have crumbled away like sand in my hands. I thought, at the very least, the soldiers I brought with me were loyal and willing to fight with me to the very end.”
“And now you bring me this,” she whispered, glaring at the papers. “I don’t know who to trust or to love anymore. Is this all that my rule has amounted to? What is there left for me now…?”
“You tell me.”
At the words, Nero turned to Ren, blinking through her tears. The Phantom Thief stepped forward. “Time and time again, people deserted you or betrayed you,” he stated. “You’ve watched your empire fall apart to the United Roman Empire. And even then, you kept fighting. You did everything you could to preserve and protect your people, led your forces to fight against an opponent even you knew you couldn’t beat.”
Loki on the balcony raised an eyebrow as they listened to their Master talk. If this was his idea of a pep talk, he sure was doing a shitty job.
“Here, it’s more of the same,” Ren concluded. “You’ve lasted this long, Nero. Your people need to be unified under your banner once more. What’s your duty as an emperor’s prerogative?”
Nero blinked in surprise, then sagged on the couch, rubbing her temples to stave off another headache. “You are making this far simpler than it actually is, Ren,” she grumbled with a half-hearted glare.
Ren chuckled ruefully as he moved the papers aside, sitting on the table so he could face Nero properly. “I guess I am,” he admitted with a shrug. “But in the end, we still have a campaign to fight and win – and in your case, an empire to fix and rebuild. Whatever decision you wish to make, I’ll stand by you as best I can. So, Nero – what do you want to do?”
The emperor said nothing, her eyes clouding over in consideration. Slowly, she stood back up and walked. Ren’s eyes followed her as she moved to a table where a jug of wine sat next to a cup. She lifted the jug and cup, made to pour – and stopped. Finally, she set them down. “Do you still have any water?” she asked quietly.
The Master blinked in surprise. “Er, yeah,” he quickly replied, fishing out the bottle from his coat. “Not a fresh one, though – didn’t think I’d have to bring one.”
“It will suffice,” Nero sighed. Ren tossed her the bottle and she caught it with ease. Neither Ren nor Loki spoke as the emperor took a long drink. Taking the bottle off her lips, she lifted it up to eye level. “Were this campaign and my reign as clean and clear as this water,” she murmured, almost to herself more than to Ren.
“Would you actually want that?” he asked out of curiosity.
Nero opened her mouth to answer, blinked, then laughed. “Umu, indeed!” she admitted. “Such a campaign and reign would be utterly boring! Successful, perhaps, but boring! And not to mention impossible – if it was that clear and straightforward, then either something is incredibly wrong or I am an absolute fool. Most likely both!”
Despite everything, the laugh was infectious. Ren couldn’t help but smile in turn. “So, emperor Nero,” he said. “What do you want to do now?”
The emperor frowned once more. Walking over, she picked up the papers and scanned them with a critical eye. “You have provided me undeniable evidence,” she stated. “However, I wish to hear the reasons directly from the perpetrator himself, as well as his subordinates. It would be best to hold a tribunal so I can hold them accountable and hear everything for myself.”
She sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. “Or I wish I could,” Nero grumbled. “To hold one in the midst of a siege would be detrimental to everyone, especially to the supreme commander of the army. Not to mention, if word of this gets out, not only would it be an opportune time for our enemy to attack, but they would scurry like rats every which way. We would never be able to catch all of them.”
Ren blinked, then chuckled once more, catching both Nero and Loki’s attention. “Is something amusing?” Nero asked out of curiosity.
“Oh no, it’s just… you called them rats, right?” Ren asked. Nero’s eyes narrowed as she nodded. “In order to catch rats, you need a trap. So that’s just what we’ll do – we’ll lure them all here and snag them all at once.”
“One small detail you’re forgetting,” Loki finally spoke up as they both turned to the trickster god. “A trap needs bait. And these rats are particularly greedy - I don’t think they’ll come for a mere bit of cheese.”
The Phantom Thief couldn’t help but grin broadly. “That’s true,” he admitted. “Thankfully, we already have the perfect bait.”
“We do?” asked Loki and Nero simultaneously – the former skeptically and the latter confusedly.
“Yep,” Ren replied with full confidence. “Me.”
The protests at the idea from both Nero and Loki had been surprisingly fierce – he wasn’t charging into a lion’s den but rather drawing the lions right to him – but Ren wouldn’t be dissuaded. After all, they didn’t have the time, nor did they have a better ‘bait’ to lure all the culprits at once without them getting suspicious. In the end, they had no choice but to reluctantly agree to the plan.
Ren then relayed the plan over to Joan. Even through their mental link he could tell the Lancer would love nothing more than to shout at him for doing something so reckless, but she simply grumbled before cutting the connection. She was probably getting used to how he worked, for better or worse. Still, she didn’t seem to have any actual problems with the plan. She just needed to be ready to move for any scenario – same as before.
That being said, kneeling on the ground as ropes were (loosely) tied around his wrists was not a pleasant experience. More than once, his vision flashed back to when he was first caught outside Sae’s Palace by the horde of police that awaited him. He could still feel the phantom sensation of knees on his back, forcing him to the ground, and the rough fibers of the rope became the thin, sharp sensation of metal handcuffs around his wrists.
Multiple times, he had to force himself to breathe and focus on his surroundings. He wasn’t outside Sae’s Palace anymore, or anywhere near Tokyo. He was here in the distant past, intentionally setting himself up as bait. Nero wouldn’t betray him. Loki and Joan were on hand in case anything went wrong. The officer that the emperor had tying him up and holding him ‘custody’ was completely loyal to Nero. In fact, he was the officer who witnessed him dig the trench with Hecatoncheires. He just needed to focus on these facts and force down his irrational panic.
I shouldn’t be getting used to this , he thought bitterly. Yet here I am.
“Are you alright, centurion?” Nero asked in concern. “You look almost ill.”
Despite everything, Ren forced himself to smile, grateful for the distraction. “Some bad memories,” he admitted. “It’s no big deal though. Once we get things going, it’ll all pay off.”
Nero frowned slightly but said nothing further. Meanwhile, the officer tugged at the ropes around Ren’s wrists. “There we are,” he muttered in satisfaction. “How’s it feel, centurion?”
Ren checked by giving the ropes a tiny tug. Just from that alone he could feel them yielding. He grinned up at the officer. “Like they’ll fall off at any second,” he responded honestly.
The officer laughed and clapped Ren hard on the back, almost pitching him face-first to the floor. “Good!” he boomed. “Exactly the way I wanted them! Been a while since I tied something a bit different!”
Nero raised an eyebrow. “You had much experience tying ropes?” she asked out of curiosity.
Blinking, the officer turned and saluted. “Yes, imperator!” he replied as if remembering where he was. “I was a sailor before being inducted into the army! From hoisting the sails to tying the rigging, there is no shortage of things that need tying up!”
The emperor nodded pensively. “Your name and rank?” she asked.
“Optio Glauca Ignatius, Imperator!” he responded. Now that Ren thought about it, he never got the opportunity to ask the man’s name. At least now he knew. He made sure to dedicate it to memory.
Nero nodded. “I shall remember it,” she replied earnestly. “Now that we have everything set up, let us begin the trap.” Thus, soldiers were summoned, given their orders, and were sent running to call on the officers. As news reached them, they gradually began filing in, all with their own reactions. Despite it all, Ren kept his head down and waited until the perfect opportunity – and the trap was sprung.
Ren watched as everything went with surprisingly few complications. It was definitely an odd feeling – mere seconds ago, he was where Asisculus was, with a blade at his neck, and now he stood beside Nero instead of him. The reversal made him slightly dizzy, but it worked out. He glanced around him with the Third Eye. With everyone’s attention on Cerberus, and with Nero and Asisculus focused on each other, no one noticed his eyes turning red once more.
As the room darkened, everyone was highlighted around him once more. Normally, people he didn’t wish to pay attention to or had nothing to offer were dulled out, but in a room filled with conspiring officers, with their leader kneeling on the floor, everyone was lit up. Several officers around the room glowed red. Many more glowed yellow. Some glowed blue. Respectively, potential enemies, neutral, and allies.
Incidentally, the officers with their swords on Asisculus both glowed blue. Good – Nero at least knew who her most loyal officers were, Asisculus notwithstanding. The legate himself… he had to blink. Purple? He didn’t expect to see such a color. Color theory stated that purple was a combination of red and blue, which both intrigued Ren and made him wary. Things were certainly a bit more complicated than he thought.
“How can we accept anything he says?” snarled one of the spectating officers. “For all we know he has been bewitched by one of the foreigners! Be it the one outside the walls or the one standing beside you! Imperator, I ask you to reconsider this!” Several officers murmured or even shouted their assent – and were quickly silenced as Cerberus rounded on them with a growl. The officer who spoke flinched but otherwise kept his composure.
Ren had to respect the officer despite that outburst. There was a reason why he brought out Cerberus – as the guardian of the Underworld, he oversaw the boundary between the world of the living and of the dead and made sure denizens of one couldn’t enter or escape to the other. While he wasn’t a judge of the Underworld, these Romans would know of Cerberus despite his different shape and would be on their best behavior. To protest despite the hound’s presence took a lot of nerve.
He idly wondered what would happen if one of these officers or soldiers tossed a honey cake at Cerberus. Most likely he would have to rein in the hound from being exploited in such a manner, but he made a mental note to prepare sweets in the Thieves Den for Cerberus. A small bit of pressure from his persona only confirmed the decision and despite the seriousness of the situation, he almost smiled.
“I trust the centurion,” Nero growled back, reclining in her seat with a stern expression. “He and his allies have led us to countless victories thus far. If he truly wanted us defeated, he could’ve set upon us back at the Appian Road and easily conquered Rome for the United Roman Empire.”
“He must’ve been enticed!” another officer barked. “That cannot be discounted!”
“And what proof do you have of this?” Nero shot back. “Here in front of all of you is the evidence of the legate’s and the officers’ doings. What proof do you have of centurion Amamiya’s wrongdoings? If you have any, bring it forth at once so I can consider it for the tribunal!”
“He isn’t Roman!” yet another officer screeched.
“ENOUGH!” Nero boomed. “All of you are tossing accusations everywhere without evidence of any sort and simply barking like rabid dogs! If any of you say anything else out of turn, I will have you tossed over the walls and let the enemy decide your fate! Am I clear!?”
Cerberus growled to emphasize her point. The officers immediately quieted down, some looking fit to burst but giving wary glances at both the persona and their emperor. Threat aside, Ren was at least glad they could make some progress. He had to wonder how Yoshida dealt with politicians and his constituents if so many of them were like this.
Well, he could guess that losing his calm like Nero had probably wouldn’t be one of his methods.
“Now, legate, speak,” Nero demanded, staring down at her supreme commander. “Why did you instigate all this?”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Asisculus gulped as if deciding what to say. “Before I speak, imperator, I ask you for a boon from you.”
Nero raised an eyebrow. “You are rather bold to ask for one at this point,” she replied. “What boon do you ask for?”
The legate bowed his head to the ground. “My subordinates were merely following my orders,” he murmured. “Please, spare them your wrath. They are loyal, competent men and do not deserve it. They will serve you well.”
The emperor narrowed her eyes. “I thought you were a fool to enact such an asinine plan to begin with, but you’re a greater one than I expected,” she spat. “You have been found beyond guilty of treason and had your subordinates working to undermine the campaign and my authority, and you have the temerity to plead for clemency for your subordinates?! When any of them could easily resume what you have begun in the first place?!?” Asisculus flinched at the accusations but kept his head down without retorting.
Ren reached over and placed a gentle hand on Nero’s shoulder – and frowned as he could feel the intensity of the glares from the other officers. He ignored them, however. Nero needed to calm down, and judging from the surprised glance from the emperor before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she agreed.
“I cannot easily allow such trespasses of my authority to go lightly, legate,” she stated in a more even tone. “I will take your case and your words into account and make my decision, but until then, I cannot promise or guarantee such a boon.”
Asisculus nodded. “You speak sense, Imperator,” he murmured, accepting the decision. “I bow to your wisdom.”
Nero scoffed. “Enough flattery,” she snapped. “Speak. Why did you conspire against me and the centurion?”
The legate knelt back up. As he did so, the gladius that was at his neck sliced at his skin, causing a rivulet of blood to drip down. “Imperator, this campaign is a foolhardy plan,” he began. “We are outnumbered not two to one, not five to one, not even ten to one. Our manpower, supplies, and reserves are at the brink of exhaustion. Our enemies, however, are utterly inexhaustible in every sense of the word. They can simply grind us to dust almost as sure as the Fates will cut our thread.”
Ren frowned. That comparison was definitely deliberate considering how often he had used the three sisters throughout the singularity. Glancing around, he could see the officers nodding at Asisculus’s arguments or at the very least in deep consideration for his words. Still, it wasn’t his place to interfere. This was Nero’s arena. All he could do was listen and rein in Nero in case she was going too far. From everything he had seen of the emperor, he trusted her, and he would continue to do so.
“The glory of the Roman Empire is and always shall be eternal,” he stated. “There is no question about that. However, the very progenitor stands as our foe. Our enemies have named themselves the United Roman Empire. Even the citizens who have defected to them are treated as their own citizens in turn.” He reached down slowly and, ignoring the blade pressing harder against his neck, fished out a folded-up paper from a pocket.
Nero took the paper and read it, her eyes narrowing. Ren only caught a few sentences glancing over her shoulder. “Who is this from?” she demanded, looking back up at the legate.
“My brother, Imperator,” he answered. “He and his family lived at the western fringes of the empire and were the earliest to defect. Long have I wrestled with this fact, and yet I still receive letters from them. They are treated well and say that their lives have not changed. Even now, they are one of the governors within the United Roman Empire, ensuring prosperity for all in his domain.”
“Glad tidings for him,” The emperor responded coldly as she tossed down the letter. “Such good news would be enough to sway almost anyone, including my most trusted commander. It almost begs the question of why you didn’t defect earlier in the first place and save me the trouble. Unfortunately, it would seem your opportunity has passed and you are only left with my decree. Still, as a reward for your services up until now, I will negotiate with Alexander and Waver to send your body to your family.”
Ren glanced over at Nero in barely suppressed shock but again, held his tongue. Much as he wanted to prevent any more killing or death, the cold wrath of the emperor was clear. Whatever she decreed to be the man’s fate. He couldn’t interfere, not without inviting severe repercussions. Just as Nero opened her mouth to proclaim the legate’s punishment…
“My betrayal was not for my or my family’s sake, but YOURS, IMPERATOR!” Asisculus roared.
The announcement rang out throughout the entire room, leaving everyone – Nero, Ren, the officers, and Joan – stunned. Blinking multiple times, Nero fell back into her seat in shock before her face fell back into impassive fury. “And now we hear the most foolish statement of them all,” she declared. “Speak your piece, Asisculus. How could betrayal against me, your emperor, be possibly for my sake?”
The legate straightened himself, staring straight into Nero’s eyes. “The enemy has offered incredibly kind terms, time and time again,” he explained. “Even now, after many victories, they would extend mercy – no, not mercy. Nothing so condescending. Rather, a union of our power and glory. With them, the Roman Empire would be far greater than ever before. It would herald a new golden age for all of us!”
“I still have yet to hear how this is for my sake,” Nero growled, her already thin patience rapidly dwindling.
There was a pause. “Because you are our emperor,” Asisculus whispered. “If you were to fall in battle, it would be a disgrace. What you have achieved will be buried and forgotten. Were you to capitulate and join the United Roman Empire, however, you may not be an emperor, but you will still be our emperor. Your power, your capability, your grace would live on and radiate even further! You would be venerated and honored as one of the greatest emperors of the empire for all time! And you would be allied with the progenitor of Rome! There would be no shame in capitulating to him!”
He looked back up, tears running down his face. “I refuse to see my emperor cowed and defeated,” he declared. “Your glory deserves to be known far and wide, not burnt out like a candle here, Imperator. From the day I joined the army to now, that is what guides my every action. For your glory.”
Once more, a shocked silence rang through the room. Nero looked to be at an utter loss for words, and Ren couldn’t blame her. The man had declared that he had done all this for the sake of Nero – so she could live and while diminished, would rebuild her own image and become just as great, if not greater than before. It was a rather selfish motivation masking behind a selfless one, something he was all too familiar with, yet it was one he sympathized with.
“And what of your plans to kill the centurion?” Nero asked quietly as she processed what the legate just told her. “Why did you carry out such a heinous plan?”
Asisculus breathed out a heavy sigh. “That was on suggestion of the enemy commander, Waver Velvet,” he reluctantly admitted. “He had correctly identified him as the linchpin of our army. If he was eliminated, then the defense would quickly crumble, and you would perhaps be more amenable to a ceasefire and surrender, Imperator.”
He met Ren’s shocked gaze. “If it is to preserve the empire and you, Imperator, and to ensure your glory grows every greater, then I will not hesitate,” he declared, his gaze unyielding from the Phantom Thief. “If the sacrifice is one outsider, despite all his contributions and sacrifices, then so be it. I will be the one to wield the knife, if need be, and cut him down.”
Ren had no answer. How could he? The man had declared that, with his twisted loyalty, he would go directly against his emperor just to protect them. He hadn’t checked but he had no doubt the legate would have a Palace. Unfortunately, taking his heart simply wasn’t possible. They didn’t have the time, resources, or even information to do so right now. Things were moving far too quickly and one way or another, it all needed to be resolved.
Still, the purple coloration in the Third Eye now made sense. The legate had acted out of loyalty and for what he thought had been best – for the empire and for the emperor. However, said actions almost got him killed and would’ve led to the downfall of the Roman Empire as they knew it. What was the old saying - something about the path to hell and good intentions? It certainly felt apt here.
Nero sighed. Instead of the rage she previously held, she now looked utterly exhausted. “While I understand your intentions, legate, I cannot believe you were this foolish,” she sighed, rubbing her temples to mitigate an oncoming headache. She couldn’t even tell if this was one of her usual migraines or if she was just tired of all this. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if it was both.
Asisculus blinked in surprise, unexpecting the emperor’s changed in attitude. “Imperator?” he inquired.
She stood up. “Do you not understand, all of you?” she asked, looking at all the assembled officers. “You are not incorrect – the United Roman Empire may lead the Roman Empire to a greater age than it has ever seen. I have bore witness to their strength time and time again. Legate, the letter you have shown me also shows that they are capable administrators and rulers. Perhaps they would lead to a new golden age of prosperity.”
“But I ask you,“ she demanded. “Is that the Roman Empire?”
The assembled officers broke into surprised murmuring as they talked amongst themselves. Asisculus could only blink as Ren watched impassively. Honestly, he was curious to see where Nero was going with this.
“The United Roman Empire is led by the progenitor of Rome himself, yes,” Nero began. “There can be no greater symbol of pride than that. However, much has changed since then. While we must honor the holy progenitor and those who came before us, those who live in the empire now must look to the present and beyond – to greater glory, to greater expanse, to greater prosperity! Our past, no matter how grand, should not overshadow what the future can be!”
She marched over and opened the balcony door, revealing the city of Massalia as she turned back to everyone, spreading her arms wide. “This is the Roman Empire that I love so dearly!” she declared. “The Empire is not just about its glory, but its people, its soldiers, its art, its promise, its potential – all of it! Is it perfect? No – but then, neither am I! Both of us have our blemishes as we trudge forward!”
“And that is why I refuse!” she roared. “This empire is my own that I love with all my heart! It has its imperfections – and so that is why it is all the more precious! And to debase myself to something as ephemeral as ‘perfection’, to accept a golden apple if it meant it came with golden shackles is the epitome of foolishness! No, as the Flower of Olympia, the Emperor of Roses, I shall decree when the empire shall end, and I decree this: From this sunset onward, the empire will be my Roman Empire until the day I breathe my last!”
“Now I ask of you - Those who have stood with me, those who have conspired against me, and those who are wavering one way or the other: Where will you stand?” she cried. “Will you choose the ephemeral perfection of the United Roman Empire? Or will you blaze forth with your love for the Empire and see it whole once more?!”
For a moment, there was silence. Then the officers moved at once – organizing themselves in front of Nero, they all knelt with their fists clasped over their hearts. “We fight with you, Imperator!” they roared as once. “For the empire!”
Nero nodded in satisfaction. Then she gently stepped forward and stopped in front of Asisculus. “And what of you, legate?” she murmured, reaching down with a hand. “You acted on the best of intentions, and I recognize them. However, I have given my answer. What say you now?”
Asisculus could only stare up at Nero in pure shock, then lapsed into quiet laughter. “Ah, all this time I thought I was loyal, I missed sight of what was right in front of me,” he murmured. The legate reached up and pressed the back of her hand against his forehead, lowering his head. “Forgive me for my crimes and betrayal, Imperator. For this sunset forth, my life is yours forever to use as you see fit. Never shall my loyalty waver again.”
The emperor nodded with a smile as Ren watched. He witnessed Nero’s entire speech, the show of loyalty of the officers, and the repentance of the legate. The scene should’ve been heartwarming and uplifting. At the very least, the emperor and all the officers in the room were reinvigorated and full of confidence.
And yet, he could only feel a chill running down his spine. Those words were not something a normal ruler would say. If anything, each one held a far darker weight behind them than even he expected. And yet, despite everything, it moved the hearts of every officer around them, and they were willing to follow her to the world’s end.
Unconsciously, his hand reached into his pocket and thumbed his phone. If he had any doubt before Nero had a Palace, he was sure of it now. But this wasn’t something he could do, not without jeopardizing everything. For now, everything was back on track. He had to content himself with that. They just needed to last until reinforcements arrived. And speaking of everything being back on track…
Where was Loki?
----------------------------------------
Waver puffed on a cigarette outside the command tent once more. The sun had already set beyond the horizon. Torches were lit as the shadows lengthened and the night came. The clouds above had dispersed somewhat, providing windows to the stars high above.
The Caster glanced up at them in idle curiosity. Had they always been this bright? Given the light pollution back in London, he only caught scant glimpses of them, but here they were far brighter and more numerous than they expected. No wonder so many cultures mapped out navigation and prophecies to the stars.
He glanced around with a frown. Normally the reports from the scouts should’ve arrived by now. Utilizing their respective scouts, he had been communicating with the Roman officers within, coordinating and suggesting plans to make their emperor more pliable to surrender. The most important aspect had been dealing with that Master, Ren Amamiya. If he knew anything about Roman politics, most likely it would lead to a bloody end, but that was war.
Blowing out a stream of smoke, he glanced over at the city with a frown. He had received information that they would be carrying out the plan late afternoon. If it succeeded, the city should be in a state of turmoil, with plenty of holes in their defenses he could poke through. Yet so far, there were no signs of anything amiss. Did the plan fail? That was the only thing he could think of.
Waver could only sigh. Well, it was probably to be expected. A magus was probably used to all sorts of backhanded, treacherous tactics like the Romans would employ. Most likely he would’ve been on guard about the whole situation. It would be a simple matter to deal with any half-baked assassination plots, no matter how much control over his forces the legate had.
Still, there were other plans. The soldiers were currently digging a tunnel underneath, aiming toward the walls. With their tirelessness and lack of fear, they should reach the walls around mid afternoon tomorrow. Once the walls were undermined, they could surge through the opening, overwhelm the defenses, and secure victory.
And of course, the siege engines were currently under construction. The ladders and siege towers were to be made especially sturdy so they could reach the walls without issue. And while the defenders were distracted, the armored cart would take copious amounts of pitch and crash against the main gate. A few gusts from his magecraft and it would be reduced to cinders in no time.
Taking the burnt-out cigarette out of his mouth, he tossed it to the ground and stamped it out. He was hoping for a less messy plan, but he never expected a campaign to go quite so well.
Stepping back into the tent, the young conqueror looked up from the map he had been staring at and cocked his head to the side. “I know that face,” he said without preamble. “I take it one of your plans has failed?”
“Sad it is to admit, yes,” Wave replied with a sigh as he scratched his head. “It seems victory will be slightly less clean than expected. Apologies, my liege.”
Alexander blinked, then laughed uproariously. “You take yourself far too seriously, Waver!” he boomed. “If every plan of yours worked without an issue, then it would simply mean our opponents weren’t worthy after all. Plus, it would be boring! This is what conquering’s all about! Besides, even as you say that, you already have more plans and schemes currently at work, right?”
Despite everything, the Rider’s infectious energy caused Waver to smile wryly. “A few,” he admitted.
The young conqueror nodded as if expecting the answer. “Then there is little to worry about!” he said confidently. “I have no doubt that you’ll lead me to victory, Waver. After that, we will have an entire empire and the world beyond! It’ll be a grand conquest to be sung about through the ages!”
Waver smiled once more and bowed. “Without a doubt, my liege,” he agreed.
“You certainly have a lot of confidence, but I guess that’s to be expected.”
Both Servants whirled about, with Waver summoning a fan and Alexander his xiphos, and aimed it at the figure behind them: A young woman with longer brown hair, wearing tan suit-like clothes, casually sipping a cup of wine. “Forgive me, I decided to sample the vintage,” she commented casually. “I didn’t have a chance back at the banquet and frankly, I thought it a shame I didn’t have a taste. It is most delectable, I must say.”
Alexander blinked, then grinned as he lowered his blade. “Ah, forgive me,” he replied. “You were the one guarding the Master, correct? I’m sorry you haven’t had a chance to try any of it. Please, I invite you to drink your fill! But do tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure of your acquaintance?”
Loki smiled as they swirled the wine in their cup, watching the dark liquid move. “Why, to thank you,” they said. “My Master has long ignored the brutality of war and the darkness of humanity around him, even after many pitched battles and beholding the calamity in front of him. He’s rather naïve like that. But he seems to have at least woken up somewhat thanks to your plans. For that, I must thank you for such a valuable learning experience. And so, I’ve prepared two gifts for you.”
Waver blinked in surprise before his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “How generous of you,” he said evenly without lowering his fan. “And what would those gifts be?”
The trickster god held up two fingers. “The first is a gift of food,” they said. “One that has been distributed among the officers’ meals. I’m sure they’ll find the flavor quite pleasant, though the taste may clash with the savory stews they’ve been having.”
Their smile widened. “I do hear that belladonna berries have a sweet tinge to them, after all.”
Alexander’s and Waver’s eyes widened. Almost on cue, they whirled about as they heard sounds of pained groaning and screaming echoing throughout the camp. “It was easier than I thought, bestowing this gift,” Loki remarked as they over their fingernails casually. “Simply shapeshift into a Roman with one of those ridiculous plumes on their helmets and nobody bats an eye. It’s honestly rather amusing.”
Both Servants glared at Loki, but they weren’t done yet. “The second gift is a gift of strength,” they continued. “Admittedly I have not used this before, but please, do take it with my blessing.”
Before either Servant could react, Loki snapped their fingers. A dark energy erupted and surrounded Waver, causing him to scream in anguish. “WAVER!” Alexander cried before turning to glare at Loki. “What did you do?!”
“Exactly what I said,” Loki replied with a smirk. “Even the feeblest existences can gain tremendous power once the chains on its heart are broken. Please, enjoy the gift.” With a roar of rage, Alexander charged, slashing at Loki – and sliced through the tent, leaving nothing but a tear. It was as if the Servant was never there in the first place.
The energy dissipated and Alexander looked at Waver, who was on his knees, panting. Yet despite everything, something was wrong. “Waver…?” he called out softly.
Waver slowly stood up and turned towards Alexander, his glasses fallen from his face. The man’s face had gone completely ashen pale. Any semblance of his usual decorum was completely gone. But that wasn’t what Alexander could focus on.
No, his eyes had rolled back into his head, showing the horrifying whites of his eyes bulging out of its sockets. Black liquid streamed out from his eyes and mouth, rendering his visage even more horrifying. He silently took a step toward the Rider as Alexander backed away in fear. And another. And another. And then he lunged.
“WAVER!!!”