After the night passed, Nero and I arrived at Massilia, an ancient port city that has existed since antiquity.
Since we were disguised using primal rune magecraft, no one should recognize Nero and me.
"Hmm, it's peaceful... as if unaware of war."
"It doesn't seem entirely so."
Posters were plastered everywhere, and those posters denounced Nero, saying she had no legitimacy as emperor, and that Nero, who deviated from Christian doctrine, was a harlot who even denied the Roman gods.
Newspapers existed in ancient Rome too. Since they existed in ancient Greece.
"This... public sentiment has hit rock bottom."
"Indeed."
The newspapers were also full of all sorts of stories blaming Nero. Calling Nero the Great Harlot of Babylon, they were filled with various fabrications. While some of Nero's faults were real, 90% were all rumors.
Doing this despite Nero having no power wasn't simply to check her, but to spread the false belief that Nero is the Great Harlot of Babylon.
We investigated the movements of the Emperor Alliance Army and others in the city, but... there was no significant information. Maybe we came for nothing...
"Look, Fergus! Parrot skewers!"
"That's right. I haven't eaten parrot meat often."
In ancient Rome, parrot is a luxury ingredient. The taste is quite delicious. The texture isn't bad either.
"Hmm, this is the taste!"
"You like it, huh?"
"I ate it often when I was emperor. Ouch...!"
"Another headache?"
"Ah... it was fine until morning, but suddenly it's getting worse..."
Is the evil nature accumulating faster because it's a crowded place? Is that how it works? Damn, we really came for nothing.
I quickly take her out of the city of Massilia.
"Is it okay to leave this quickly?"
"Yes. Has the headache improved a bit?"
"A little, it has improved..."
"That's a relief."
Riding the chariot, we quickly leave the city and head towards our destination, Britain. We'll probably arrive in the Gaul region by tonight. But... there's still something bothering me.
Previously, the Emperor Alliance Army tried to kill Nero.
Boudica is understandable. Stheno isn't on that side either, so that makes sense. But... why?
Lev's goal is probably to awaken her as a Beast. Like how in Babylonia, the goal was to awaken Tiamat... Or, is it to kill Nero as a human? Since awakening only the vessel after death might be enough?
It's not easy... The possibilities are plenty. Maybe because Nero might not move as he wishes.
"Haa... haa..."
"Nero?"
"A bit, my body is hot... More than a headache, it's foggy... dizzy... My chest is hot and painful..."
"...."
The evil nature is gradually gathering faster. Why is it suddenly gathering faster? I don't understand... What's happening? Last night, I mitigated the evil nature with the power of the spring. That was real. But now, it's gathering to an equivalent level?
Something... is a ritual being performed somewhere...?
I tried using all sorts of runes to alleviate her condition, but the symptoms don't improve. Even using clairvoyance, there's nothing around. Just animals on the road or lush plants...
Damn, are they hiding somewhere in the singularity performing some ritual? Damn religious fanatics. It's the same then and now. They make even proper religious people look bad... Such misguided faith is worse than having none. Ignorant people with conviction are terrifying.
It's confirmed that she'll awaken as a Beast before meeting the Lion King. With this, won't we be turned away? Rather, even now, using Vimana...
No, that would be utterly futile. In the air, I can't win... If he comes, I'll lose in the air.
"... Just hang on a little longer. Probably, you'll feel better soon."
"Is that so... I see... If it's your word, I can believe it."
Nero leans against my shoulder with a faint smile, her face flushed red and her body heated. Her condition is serious... Whether it's an illusion or real, I see a black aura around her.
She might awaken within today. I need to be prepared too... In case she goes berserk, I have to subdue and calm her... and I have to stop those who come to kill her. It's tough... so damn tough.
"Now, let's pick up the speed!"
The two divine beasts charge even faster, and the chariot runs even quicker. We need to get closer, even if just a bit.
"Haa... haa...! Ugh, grr...!"
Nero clutches her chest as if in agony. What... is that?
"Ha, the sky...."
The belt of Human Incineration turned red, and the sky inside that hole became not blue but black tinged with red light. The clouds have also turned red. No, it's because of that light...
Has some kind of apocalypse come? What in the world...
Screech...!
I connect to the Root as much as possible and observe the situation with my eyes. Blood tears flow from my eyes, but... I have to see, even if briefly.
It's gathering... Like Angra Mainyu's hole, the evil nature is gathering... This is, a ritual...? Faith... I hear it, as I barely reconnect to the Root temporarily.
[Punishment for the fallen harlot!]
[Great god, holy god! Please strike down the Roman emperor who is like a demon!]
[We must drive out the Great Harlot of Babylon!]
[Great ancestors! Punish the impure emperor!]
[This is god's will!]
The grudges and consciousness of numerous people... By wishing for divine punishment due to the misguided faith of Christians and the grudges of those who want to kill Nero, they are paradoxically proving the existence of the Great Harlot of Babylon.
Because of them...
Because of humans... because of humanity, the moment human evil is born.
It can't be stopped. Even if I cut space... the gathering evil nature heading towards her can't be stopped.
Is this the power of formless mental energy... With my strength, I can't stop it...
"Agh.... Uwaaaaaah!!!"
"Nero! Ugh!"
Immediately, she has a seizure, bounces into the air, and then flies up into the sky. With her eyes rolled back, she pierces through the chariot's roof and floats in the air. I also bounce out of the chariot and roll on the ground. Nero, her back arched like a bow.
The evil nature of humanity begins to gather towards her. It's been only 30 years since the Savior took all of humanity's evil nature and left. And yet... to such an absurd level... Rome, how much enormous evil nature did it grow while harboring?
The evil nature gathers... It starts to be absorbed into her, using her as a vessel. It can't be stopped...
Soon after, the evil nature is fully absorbed into her, and a brilliant yet turbid giant black light erupts. I cover my eyes with my arm and look at the sky beyond my arm. There, I saw Nero falling from the now-normal sky.
"Nero!"
I immediately jump up, catch Nero, and lay her on the chariot. This is...
"Uh, uhh..."
"Nero, are you conscious?"
"Here... the headache is gone..."
"It's okay... I'm here with you."
"Fergus... what has happened to me...?"
"It's fine... Since I'm here, rest assured."
In the end, it happened this quickly...
In the end, she has awakened as the Beast's juvenile body.
Nero Draco... the form of the Beast's juvenile body (Geocentrism body).
Even so, my choice doesn't change.
But to happen this quickly... it's bewildering. Probably, he'll come soon... I need to prepare.
"Somehow, my field of view seems reduced. How should I say... my body feels smaller."
"It is smaller... Please wait a moment. A guest has come, and I have to go greet them."
"Guest...?"
"To be precise, an unwelcome guest. Please wait here... It'll be over soon. Probably..."
I leave her on the chariot and walk forward, turning my back to the chariot.
In the end, he has come... What are the chances in a one-on-one? I want to avoid a mutual kill... But in pure physical ability, he's the strongest even among Grand Servants.
"In the end, we meet like this. A lancer similar to me, yet whose very body exists as a spear beyond me..."
Grand Lancer・Romulus=Quirinus
The founder of Rome and the supreme god of Rome.