"Been a while, Medea."
"Oh, Atalante."
"…"
"…"
"The kids?"
"Treasures."
Snap snap, nod nod.
"Cute girls?"
"My treasures."
Snap snap, nod nod.
"I want clothes!"
"Already making them! Frilly ones!"
"You're a goddess!"
"A witch!"
"Perish, Jason! Face reality, past me!"
"No Golden Apple Race fabric!"
Snap snap, nod nod.
""Alliance formed!!""
To Rome!
The eternal city, reached after battle.
"Behold! My Rome! The eternal capital where maidens cease weeping and sing its splendor! The supreme city—Rome!!"
Stately buildings stood tall. Bustling markets overflowed. Waves of people surged—
A dazzling city, founded on seven hills, its legacy enduring into the distant future, spread before us!
"Amazing!! Rome! Rome's incredible!"
"Yes! Everyone… smiling…!"
Passersby brimmed with vitality, faces alight with joy, weaving through the streets.
One glance revealed the city's blessedness.
This was the city of splendor—Rome.
"So, Golden One? What does my Rome look like to your lofty eyes?" Nero asked.
"It passes for liveliness. I see care for the masses in its details. Worthy of a stroll—though light casts deep shadows," Gilgamesh replied.
To me, it's splendid, but to a king, merely adequate.
"Hmph, stubborn… Wait!" Nero dashed to a fruit stall.
"Vendor, one apple!"
"Welcome—Emperor Nero?! Please, take it! Glory to Nero and Rome!"
"No need for formality! Here, Golden One, eat!"
A glossy, fresh apple was thrust before him.
"Take a bite! Rome masters every pleasure! Taste it, and you'll see—Rome reigns supreme!"
"Hmph. No divine fruit, just common fare to please a king's palate? Arrogant—"
"Just eat it, verbose man!"
"Mmph—"
The apple was shoved into his mouth. He bit down.
"—"
Delicious!!
Sweetness and tartness burst forth, crisp texture yielding to a refreshing aftertaste…
"How's that? Hmm?" Nero grinned.
Even discounting a king's refined tastes…
I've never tasted such a vibrant fruit. Rome, not to be underestimated!
"Not bad. Fine for snacking while wandering," Gilgamesh conceded.
"See? See?"
"I want some! Gimme, Gil!" Ritsuka chimed.
"Here, share with Mash," he tossed it.
The Master and Mash nibbled like eager critters.
"Delish! Mash, try!"
"Thank you! …So good!"
"Umu! Rome, your base! Explore it later!" Nero beamed.
An idea struck.
"To my palace, then! For strategy and a feast…"
"Mash, Master, go ahead. I've errands first," Gilgamesh interjected.
"Mmu?" Nero tilted her head.
That fruit sparked an urge.
"Discuss your plans without me. Choosing and fighting is your role, commanders," Gilgamesh said.
"What?! So smitten with Rome?! One apple and you're charmed?!" Nero teased.
"Fool! Only one city holds my faith. But I'll grant the fruit some credit," he retorted.
Pretty simple of me.
"Got it! We'll plan. Be back by night!" Ritsuka said.
"Umu. Scheme well."
"No leading! Explore, Golden One!" Nero urged.
"Take care, Hero King," Mash added.
"Later. Don't bore me with dinner."
He parted from the group, stepping into the city's clamor.
"The fruit stall at that corner's top-notch—great quality!" Nero's voice chimed.
"Umu. Do your operator duty," Gilgamesh replied.
Nero guided as he roamed.
"That main street's a treasure trove! Goods to sate your discerning eye—clothes, food, trinkets! Affordable, flawless! My Rome knows no limits!"
"Quiet down. Jeanne was milder. I was spoiled," he sighed.
She's a lively operator, unlike Jeanne's calm. Her cheer warms the heart.
Her sweet voice melts the mind. Adorable.
"Your enthusiasm's fine, but that syrupy voice could sicken me. No boyish vigor! A Saber should prioritize valor!" he chided.
"V-Valor?! Don't be absurd!" Nero protested.
"You can't, hence a mere imitation! Netizens claim you hoard Sabers… I'm jealous enough to deflate," he grumbled.
When will I meet the Knight King? Hopefully while I'm here.
"Fine, I'll summon her later. But these stalls are a hassle," he said.
So many choices. I want them all.
"Right. Too tedious. I'll buy everything—Gorgeously!" he bellowed. "Listen, toiling mongrels!!"
He shouted, a Servant's voice echoing in the city's heart.
"What?!"
"A foreigner?! That aura!"
"That presence… An emperor to rival Nero?!"
"What are you doing?!" Nero gasped.
Shopping, obviously.
"All your petty wares! I, the Gorgeous, claim them all!! Hand them over!"
Golden ripples summoned stacks of gold ingots before him.
"Take your payment! Pocket change to me! Praise me, wretched mongrels!!"
"""""UOOOOH!!!"""""
Rome erupted in Gorgeous fervor!!
"Thanks! Take it all!"
"All of it! Everything!"
"Who are you?! Whatever, thanks!!"
"Haha, good spirit! I'll return when bored!" Gilgamesh laughed.
"You cheat! That shopping style's unfair!" Nero whined.
"Worship my Golden Rule! I'm the supreme Market King!! Hahaha!" he roared.
Supplies secured.
"No souvenirs to worry about now," he mused.
Hope Chaldea likes them.
"So unfair…" Nero sulked.
"Come, the sun's set. Let's rejoin them. What's wrong, false bride?"
"I… I want to conquer the market too! Buying everything's cheating!"
"Ha! Master the Golden Rule and try again! Let's go—Gorgeous returns!"
Later, the title 'Gorgeous' would echo through Rome's markets—a tale for another time.
"…I don't get it… I don't get it."
How do I deal with Cosmo-Gilgamesh? Was he always this diligent, making everyone smile? Hard to dismiss in this Universe (gag) space…
"Maybe I'll talk to him… 'Good work!' or something."
"Hey, Heroine X! What's up? Wanna hit the cafeteria—"
"You heard my private thoughts?! Sealing Calibur!!"
"Why—?!"
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