Chapter Two – Empire of Eternal Madness, Septem.
Among the endless fields, thousands of soldiers stood in neat rows. Warriors in armor with crimson patterns, armed with huge shields and long spears, peered intently into the distance, where the enemy appeared under the banner of waving azure flags.
"Ibambe!"
"Ibambe!"
A man in a red costume, standing at the head of the formation, shouted a battle cry. Deadpool began to sing, and the soldiers loudly joined in after him.
"Ibambe!"
"Ibambe!"
Obeying the first in line, the warriors struck the ground with their spear shafts, causing the earth to tremble. Their cry shook the heavens. Soon, the enemy opposite also completed their formation. Red against blue – a frozen moment before the storm. Deadpool drew the swords resting on his back.
"Rome forever!"
"Glory to Rome!"
Led by Deadpool, the soldiers moved forward with a furious roar. They used classic Roman tactics – the tortoise. Shielded from the front and overhead, the legion turned into an unbreakable moving fortress, relentlessly closing the distance.
"Rear ranks – throw spears!"
The legate, assisting Deadpool in command, swung his sword, and warriors from the depths of the formation simultaneously launched their pila. The spears whistled through the air and, at high speed, plunged into the shields of the enemy, who had formed an identical "tortoise."
"Continue moving!"
The centurions' shouts spurred the soldiers on, and they marched with frightening discipline. But the enemy spears were already flying in response: they pierced the shields, embedding themselves in bellies, breaking the formation and turning the coordinated advance into bloody chaos.
"I'm going first!"
When the enemy was only a short distance away, Deadpool left the formation and rushed into the thick of the enemy ranks. The soldiers in the "tortoise" prepared to repel the attack of a lone madman in red, but…
"Catch this pineapple!"
A small sphere rolled under the legionaries' feet. A moment later, an explosion scattered the monolithic wall of shields.
"Oh, hello, hello, guys. What? You ask why I'm commanding Romans after a ley shift? Well… it's a long story. In short – I was thrown here alone."
Deadpool darted through the crumpled enemy formation, wildly swinging his swords. He chopped off arms, legs, pierced throats and groins, spinning like he was in a washing machine drum. Grabbing one of the dying soldiers by the face, he pulled out a camera from somewhere and took a picture.
"#Deadpool #Rome #FirstBlood #MomImPromoted!"
However, it was difficult to cut through armor with ordinary blades, and his swords became dangerously nicked. Deadpool put them away and drew a short blade hanging at his belt. It was a gladius – the standard weapon of Roman infantry.
"Oh yes, where was I? In general, after long wanderings, I ended up here. At first, they took me for an enemy, but, as you can see… Well, look at what I'm wearing? Seeing this form-fitting crimson-colored leotard, the local 'Emperor-chan' was so impressed that she immediately hired me." He lowered his voice conspiratorially:
"By the way, she's really cute here!"
Noticing an enemy running at him with a shield and gladius, Deadpool switched his grip to reverse, jumped high, flew over the opponent, and plunged the steel into his back as he landed. He tore through enemies, moving with the speed and grace of a crimson wolf.
"Retreat! We have won!"
"Hooray!"
The enemy faltered and fled. Deadpool slowly walked among the bodies that littered the battlefield, feeling the forgotten scent of war with his whole body.
"Kha-a… It seems I'll have a well-deserved 'happy time' today."
"Legate! Excellent work. The Emperor summons you."
"Oh! Is it a promotion?!"
Deadpool almost jumped for joy upon hearing that the ruler was calling for him.
The camp was set up not far from the front line. Among many crimson tents, Deadpool approached the brightest one, which stood out even against this background. Brushing off the dust and foreign blood from his suit, he took a deep breath and stepped inside.
"Hello! Emperor-chan, I'm back!"
"Oh! My crimson wolf. Have you brought news of victory?"
A woman in a crimson dress with a voluptuous figure, nobly styled golden hair, and piercing green eyes under thick eyebrows – this was Nero Claudius, the true "Emperor," whose majesty was felt in every gesture.
"Well, victory is in the bag! Though, there was some minor stuff, I didn't even get to warm up properly."
Deadpool jumped with an overly theatrical gesture, spreading his legs wide.
"Hmm! Excellent. I praise you, my crimson wolf. As a reward, I permit you to receive my pat!"
"I love pats! Ooh-tee-tee…"
The scene of Nero affectionately stroking Deadpool's head most resembled a mistress petting a loyal dog.
"...I'm not doing this because I particularly like it," he whispered to the side. "The little ones are nowhere to be seen, so I need to gain their trust and find out where they are! Although, I must admit, it's even fun… And Emperor-chan is really cute." He winked.
"My Rome is being tormented by cunning false emperors who think they can build their own empires. But as the true ruler of Rome, I will crush them and force them to kneel! So be it!"
Nero resolutely plunged her sword into the war map spread before her.
It all began when giant rings opened in the sky, and simultaneously, in different parts of the country, appeared those who proclaimed themselves emperors. Each of them sought to prove their legitimacy by unleashing a bloody war.
In the end, only four remained on the map: Gallo-Roman in the north, Ibero-Roman in the west, the original Rome under Nero's rule in the center, and Balkano-Roman in the east. These four forces clashed in a deadly battle for the right to be called the true empire.
◇
Meanwhile, Ritsuka and Mash, finding themselves in a dark forest, fell into an ambush by unknown assailants. With their hands and feet bound, they were led deeper into the thicket. Their captors wore rough hides for armor, had thick, uncombed beards, and were armed with heavy axes and swords.
"Mash, can we get out?" Ritsuka asked quietly.
Mash looked around and whispered back, "There's a chance. But, Senpai, it will be difficult for me alone to break through such a crowd and protect you. Besides, we don't know where we are, and a blind escape could be dangerous. We should avoid combat as much as possible."
Ritsuka nodded, deciding to wait for a convenient moment. From his experience in Orleans, he knew that the person they were being led to might be a Servant – possibly even a friendly one. But if it was an enemy, things would take a grim turn…
"Queen! We've captured foreigners who were prowling in the forest!"
The leader of the detachment bowed his head, and the heavy gates of the wooden fortress swung open. From them emerged the "Queen."
Blood-red hair, a noble white cloak, a shield and sword in her hands – she looked as if she was ready for battle at any second. But what struck most were her green eyes: in their sharp, almost bestial gleam, one could read a life story full of struggle.
"You called them foreigners?"
"Yes… they are."
Under her piercing gaze, Ritsuka involuntarily swallowed. The Queen seemed to fly into a rage. She jumped up, pointed her sword at them, and shouted:
"Liars! You are Roman spies! Were you sniffing out the way to our camp to guide your legionaries?!"
"No! This is a misunderstanding! We…"
Mash tried to object, but the tip of the sword stopped at her throat.
"Mash!"
"How can I believe you?!" The Queen's voice trembled with hatred. "After you Roman dogs defiled and killed my daughters, do you think I'll spare you?!"
Her face contorted with a grimace of rage and thirst for revenge. Ritsuka had seen this before – in Orleans, when he met Jeanne Alter, born of pure hatred.
"Queen of the Celts! Stop. These people have nothing to do with Rome."
Just as the blade was about to spill Mash's blood, a figure emerged from the shadows, wrapped in a black cloak. The stranger's face was not visible, but his calm voice and the staff he leaned on marked him as an extraordinary person.
"Druid! Are you sure about this?"
The Queen addressed him by the title of an ancient Celtic priest. The Druid, with a barely perceptible smile under his veil, approached and freed the prisoners from their bonds.
"They are not enemies, but allies. Moreover, they are our only hope. Let's just say: they have arrived from a world far beyond our imagination."
A murmur ran through the soldiers.
Until now, thanks to the wisdom and almost prophetic advice of this man, the Queen and her people had been able to avoid Roman punitive forces and even build up their strength. Boudica, whose days were spent sharpening the blade of revenge, decided to trust the one who had saved them more than once.
"Forgive me for my lack of restraint. I made a mistake. As Queen, I succumbed to personal feelings and almost killed innocent people… no, those who are meant to be our hope. I, Boudica, Queen of the Britons, ask for your forgiveness."
Having calmed down, she bowed her head in sincere apology. Mash recalled Dr. Romani's story about Boudica – about her terrible hatred for Rome and the pain this woman was doomed to endure. Now the origins of her fury became clear.
"Rise, Queen. You shouldn't lament over this small misunderstanding. It is with their help that we can deliver a crushing blow to Rome."
"You are right, Druid. As always, I thank you."
Boudica expressed her gratitude, and the Druid, bowing slightly, walked past Ritsuka and Mash. As he passed, he whispered so softly that only they could hear:
"From now on, I'm counting on you, friends from Chaldea."
Stunned, Ritsuka and Mash turned sharply, but the Druid had vanished.
***
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