"Mother of gods?" Flavius muttered, his head tilted faintly, his eyes tense with a contemplative glint.
He felt as if he had heard that title before—perhaps a story told by someone during an evening meal, one he had laughed off and subsequently forgotten.
As he pondered, his gaze drifted to her ample bosom, and he froze.
Rainer, however, was taken aback by her etiquette and mannerisms. It was clear that this woman was well-educated. Despite the finger-smudged war paint on her face, which made her look even cuter, she seemed like a stranger among the Bructeri with her vibrant olive skin, darker than the others.
Regardless of his thoughts, he knew he had to speak up since everyone's attention was now on him.
"The name's Rainer!" he declared with a smile, clearly pleased at the prospect of introducing himself to her. Then he glanced at Flavius, who was staring, transfixed.
Suddenly, Rainer kicked at him, and Flavius drew his eyes away from Nantosvelta's magnetic figure.
"Ahem! I—I am Flavius! The greatest eques in Rome!" he proudly announced, and Rainer glanced at him oddly.
'Oi! At least make your boasts believable!'
"Rainer..." Nantosvelta murmured, her eyes becoming deep and thoughtful.
She looked at Veliona's excited expression and then back to Rainer, and suddenly it clicked.
"Ah! You're Kyrie Daimon's possessed slave!"
Rainer's expression darkened slightly at the mention of being a slave, but he forced a smile.
"Rainer. Just call me Rainer, please."
Nantosvelta seemed taken aback; she realized she had unintentionally hurt him but didn't know how.
Veliona smirked, understanding glinting in her eyes as she glanced at Nantosvelta.
"He claims to be the son of Mars. I do not believe such an individual would appreciate being called a slave."
Startled, Nantosvelta's mouth rounded into an 'o' of realization, and she turned apologetic.
"Forgive me, Rainer. I did not wish to insult you. I merely repeated what the Roman officers told me while trying to court me."
Rainer shrugged and waved it off.
"You apologized. It's fine."
Then he glanced at her again, leaning forward on Redshade with a suave smile, clearly observing her figure.
"The officers courted you, you said? Well, I must say, they were wise to take their chance at the moment; cause you look like the pleasant dream that vanishes from memory at the break dawn."
Nantosvelta gasped, surprised, and an involuntary blush colored her face.
Veliona rolled her eyes with boredom, while some mercenaries giggled, amused.
Flavius, however, was shocked.
His head swiveled to Rainer, alarmed at what he was trying to do.
"Rainer! What are you doing?" he whispered heatedly, gently prodding at Rainer's leg with the butt of his spear. Rainer subtly kicked back.
"Wait your turn, boyo! I'm testing if I still got game!" he whispered back, glancing with a smirk that seemed to say 'I call dibs.'
He then turned back to Nantosvelta and delivered another line.
"Do you have children? Because I want to be your only son."
Nantosvelta blinked strangely at that, patiently wearing a receptionist's smile. Rainer, realizing he had missed his shot, winced.
'Damn! That went over her head! Was that too advanced for this era? Haah~ This is one of the problems with flirting as a constantly transmigrating being! Anachronistic pickup lines would be the death of me!'
Flavius let out a sigh of relief, feeling like he still had a chance.
However, Nantosvelta's smile soon turned genuine. She seemed to be thinking of something pleasant.
"I do... actually. I have two daughters..." she remarked, her eyes glazing over thoughtfully as if recalling something—or someone—dear to her.
"They also have a father. The Legate of Legio IV Flavia Felix."
"Agh!" Flavius clenched his chest as if stabbed and Rainer sucked in a cold breath. He could hear Flavius's spirit deflating like a balloon.
They both knew that only fools would mess with a Legate's woman.
Legates were practically senators, commanding immense political and military power in Rome. They were not to be trifled with.
Rainer had met a few legates in his past lives, though he had never been one. He never actually lived long enough to be one.
"Welp. I guess that ship has sailed," Rainer muttered to himself with a sigh, and Redshade laughed at him.
*Whihinhinhing!*
Mortified, Rainer caressed his face.
'Why did I ever get on this nasty horse?' he groaned, regretting his life choices.
Meanwhile, during their conversation, Veliona's feet constantly tapped against the side of her horse, her grip on her sword tightened, and she kept shifting her weight ever so slightly: She was getting antsy.
Looking to Rainer, she sighed.
"The Lady may be taken, but if you fancy her, then perhaps her daughters may suit your taste as well. I reckon they are old enough for marriage."
"Veliona!" Nantosvelta exclaimed, startled. But Veliona continued, unmoved.
"They were raised under Bructeri customs and trained by me. If you could entertain me in a duel, I would not be against you courting one of them—or both, if you have the capability."
She said the last phrase, sending a knowing smile toward the mercenaries.
"Hah! Little Vindica alone would rend him limb from limb!" a mercenary mocked, and the rest laughed.
Rainer raised a questioning brow, looking worried. 'She would what? What did they raise? Animals?'
He glanced at Nantosvelta, and she let out a sigh. "We do value strength, but it is not the main virtue. However, I wouldn't mind if Vindica finds you worthy."
She reflexively adjusted her hair with one arm, glancing at the mountain range. "My daughters are gifted, but they are a bit special. Some strength or skill, I feel, is needed to appeal to and keep up with them."
Rainer looked around. "Where are they?"
She glanced toward the mountain, biting her lips in worry. "I sent them ahead almost a year ago. They are with their father in the Roman province of Elisium."
Rainer followed her gaze, looking toward the mountain range looming to the east. 'Hmm. Elisium, eh? That's where I sense the mana flow from...'