Chapter 118 – The True Flower of Rome
"It's time to head to the execution ground, Your Majesty."
As the prison door opened, Lev appeared with a radiant smile.
"You two, escort Her Majesty the Emperor outside."
As the two soldiers prepared to enter the cell to assist the blonde girl sitting inside, they were halted by the sheer intensity of her gaze.
"…No need. I can walk on my own."
The disheveled blonde girl held her arm as she stepped out of the prison cell.
"…Just what are you plotting, you wicked magus?!"
"No need to be impatient. Your Majesty will soon find out."
Lev gave a faint smile.
"…Whatever your schemes may be, I will never let you succeed so easily!"
"Oh really? Then I'll be watching. Just don't bore me, Your Majesty."
Lev signaled with his eyes for the two soldiers to slowly escort the blonde girl out of the prison.
At the square of Rome, countless citizens had gathered under orders.
The enormous square, along with the surrounding streets, was packed to the brim, yet no one dared to make a sound.
Fear was plainly visible on everyone's face, and the source of that fear sat upon the throne before them—Romulus, the Divine Ancestor.
A man who had returned from the dead to rule once more—such an event, so defiant of all natural law, was utterly terrifying.
"Divine Ancestor-sama, she has been brought forward."
"..."
Romulus's expression did not change at all; he only gave a faint nod.
"Bring her up here."
As the blonde girl in chains stepped forward, all of Rome's citizens looked up at her.
Even though she was shackled in iron, even though she had been locked away in a dark prison devoid of sunlight, at that moment—dressed in a resplendent red ceremonial gown—the blonde girl remained breathtakingly beautiful.
"Divine Ancestor! Why have you taken Rome from my hands?!"
"Rome… can have only one Emperor."
From atop the throne, Romulus spoke with a booming voice.
"And I am Rome!!!"
The words of the Divine Ancestor in the land of Rome were no different than the law itself!
All the people gathered there immediately bowed their heads, beginning to kneel before the founder of the Roman Empire.
"It's true… I can never compare to the Divine Ancestor. It is through your grand achievements that Rome was created."
"If that is so, why do you not yield to me, my child? Do you intend to oppose Rome?!"
An overwhelming pressure radiated from Romulus's body, so great that the soldiers around them all collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
Yet, even when faced with such terrifying pressure, the blonde girl kept her head held high.
"But Rome continues to move forward. Your era has passed! I am the one who inherited your will. Be it past, present, or future—I am the one and only Fifth Emperor of the Roman Empire!!!"
The blonde girl raised her head with proud dignity.
"Nero Claudius!!!"
"——————?!"
In that instant, a radiant light once again emanated from Nero's body, as if belonging solely to her. The crimson hue in her eyes seemed to fade slightly.
"So that's it. That the future of Rome could give rise to a successor as brilliant as you… Rome is truly blessed."
Romulus nodded in praise of Nero's deeds, but his gaze quickly turned fierce.
"However, now that I have descended upon this land, there is no way I will hand over Rome to anyone but myself!"
After saying that, Romulus raised his voice again.
"However, as my child, I shall allow you one request. Whether it be to beg for mercy or to flee—I will allow it. Because I love Rome, and I love you—the one who has become the Flower of Rome."
"Divine Ancestor-sama! I thought it was made clear that Nero was to be executed before the public?!"
Lev immediately stepped forward to reaffirm the decision with Romulus.
"This is a dialogue between Emperors of Rome—a magus like you has no right to interfere!!!"
Romulus glared sternly at Lev.
"…Understood."
Lev reluctantly bowed his head, his mind quickly racing.
If Nero escaped, then his entire plan would be forced to change.
But just the thought of Rome about to be destroyed by his own hands made Lev—still bowing—break into a terrifying smile.
Fine, I'll play with you fools just a little longer!
After shouting Lev down, Romulus turned once again to face Nero.
"Speak, my child—what reward do you wish to ask of me?"
Facing Romulus, Nero stood tall and proud.
"I wish to fight the Divine Ancestor once more in a duel!!"
Upon hearing her words, Romulus shook his head.
"You should not ask for such a reward. Choose something else, before I change my mind."
"I am the Fifth Emperor of Rome. Even if I must die, I will fight for that honor!!!"
Seeing Nero's unyielding determination again and again, a fierce gleam suddenly flashed in Romulus's eyes.
"Very well. If that is your will, then I shall no longer see you as my child—but as an enemy who seeks to wrest Rome from my hands!"
In Romulus's hand appeared a spear of immense size. With a mere swing, he shattered the chains binding Nero's wrists.
"Choose your weapon."
Nero stepped over to one of the soldiers who had escorted her and took an ordinary longsword from his grasp.
"Even if it's just an ordinary sword, it was forged by Rome!"
"Excellent!"
Romulus, radiating majesty, sat upon the throne, spear in hand.
"Come, challenge me!"
With both hands gripping the sword tightly, Nero charged straight at Romulus.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
She swung with all her might.
"Klang——————————!!!"
Romulus didn't even need to move his body—he effortlessly blocked Nero's strike with his spear.
One was a human—Nero, and the other, a Servant—Romulus. The outcome of this battle was already clear.
Yet Nero showed no fear. She continued her fierce assault!
"Clang————————!!"
This time, she struck harder—but was still blocked.
"Hraaaaa————————!!!"
She didn't give up. With all her strength, she lunged forward again.
"Crack!"
The ordinary longsword, unable to withstand the impact, naturally shattered.
"Farewell, my child—the Flower of Rome."
Romulus spoke softly, and the spear in his hand readied to pierce through Nero's body.
"Splurt——————!!!"
The sound of something piercing flesh rang out, and a stream of fresh red blood began to drip down.
"Why… is it… like this…?!"
Before everyone's stunned eyes—
A black-and-red tentacle had pierced through Romulus's chest.
"Tch. How long were you planning to keep up this farce? I'm starting to get annoyed."
Lev, who had been standing silently below this entire time, now stepped forward.
"It's time to end it—the era belonging to mankind."