(TLNote: The chapter title is a famous Chinese internet meme based on the writer Lu Xun, whose birth name was Zhou Shuren. It's used to express "You're looking for my pseudonym/alias, that has nothing to do with my real self." It's a clever way of disassociating from a situation.)
Lucius had the face of a soap opera protagonist and a personality to match, so of course, he should have an unobtainable, dream-like "white moonlight" love interest. Wasn't his fake identity perfect for that role? Go ahead and pine for that illusory existence. As Aslan thought to himself, Lucius will be hung up on 'Estée Lauder' forever, but what does that have to do with me, Aslan?
That's right, that's how it is!
From now on, the name 'Estée Lauder' will be my taboo!
From now on, I will absolutely never wear a dress again!
In other words, from now on, the existence known as 'Estée Lauder' will completely and utterly disappear!
Are you kidding me? This is already my dark history, my complete and utter dark history!
After hearing Aslan's refusal, Lucius sighed. At the same time, his eyes fell on the sharp sword in Aslan's hand, and he could, of course, tell that it was no ordinary weapon. How should he put it... he seemed to like her even more now!
This was what he wanted! This defiant spirit, just like his own! This courage to resist him! This bearing of a woman who wielded a sword in battle, unlike any ordinary female.
"Hahahaha!! As expected, it's not that easy! In that case, I'll have to make a move myself. I'll just have to capture you, take you to the palace, and lock you in a room to serve your time in prison!"
Seeing the Roman Emperor draw the demonic sword Florent from his waist, Aslan also adjusted his stance, preparing to break through. But this form-fitting dress was really getting in the way!
"Melusine!!"
At Aslan's call, Melusine, who had been frozen in place, shot forward in a fiery rage. Moving at a speed that surpassed light, she ran up the wall, and upon reaching the wall opposite the door, she quickly bent her knees and then—exploded forward!
The force generated by her immense magical power and speed directly blasted a huge crater in the hard stone wall. Her twin blades aimed straight for Lucius's neck. Melusine was genuinely prepared to end Lucius's life right then and there. Aslan hadn't told her she had to keep him alive, after all. In the history of the Nasuverse, this emperor was fated to die within these years anyway, bringing Rome's revival to a halt and leading to its complete decline. This would just mean the emperor died a few years earlier than originally planned. If someone was needed to temporarily hold the line in the east, Aslan could spare some time to go there himself, though it would be best if that wasn't necessary.
At this moment, Melusine's heart was screaming in fury. Aslan was her partner! He was also her treasure! Strictly speaking, both of them could be considered dragon-kin. What was a human like you meddling for?! And Aslan too!! This time, he was really confessed to by a man! Her worries had come true!!
On the Isle of Britain, Balin and Aslan had a purely platonic friendship of student and teacher, and the other knights mostly treated Aslan with respect and concern. But this guy, this Roman Emperor, had actually confessed to Aslan!! This third-wheeling interloper!!
Based on her understanding of Aslan, Melusine swore on Albion's name that Aslan had absolutely no interest in having a girlfriend on one arm and a boyfriend on the other! What she was doing now was also to protect Aslan's chastity!
However, her crossed blades failed to sever the Roman Emperor's head. After all, this was the emperor who fought King Arthur to a standstill and had even defeated a thrice-empowered Gawain with a single strike of his demonic sword. Melusine's crossed blades only managed to slice off a few strands of red hair before a demonic sword struck the armored gauntlet on her arm. If Melusine weren't a dragon, she might not have been able to withstand this counterattack.
Lucius still wore that same defiant expression, not a hint of panic on his face. He touched his hair, which had just received a free trim, a look of surprise and approval in his eyes. The aura around him began to intensify, and his tone grew excited. "That was quite a surprise. To think you possess such incredible speed. I was nearly decapitated."
Melusine stood up from behind the overturned cabinets. Aslan also watched the Roman Emperor with a serious expression. In this Western continent where the Age of Gods had already ended, Lucius still possessed such immense power... even in the Age of Gods of Greece and Rome, this emperor would have been a top-tier hero, and he might have been even stronger back then!
"Melusine, now is not the time to fight! The objective has been achieved. We're breaking through!"
Using the Sword of Glorious Victory in his hand, Aslan ripped a large slit in his tight dress to allow his legs to move freely. At this moment, Lucius was actually still in the mood to let out a couple of soft whistles, looking with great interest at Aslan's exposed legs.
This instantly promoted the Roman Emperor to the number one spot on Aslan's "Most Wanted Punching Bag" list, directly surpassing Merlin! If he weren't trying to hide his identity, Aslan really wanted to take the bread out of his chest, throw it at the emperor's face, and then say, "Mine's bigger than yours!" just to see if the emperor could maintain his current mood. But he was afraid this emperor who believed in the Roman pantheon would just catch the bread he threw and stuff it in his mouth, then say something like, "Male or female, what's the difference? I only care about the face." Thinking about the Roman emperors before the rise of Christianity, which one of them didn't have a few same-sex friends? At that point, the one who would be scared wouldn't be this Sword Emperor, but himself.
Aslan had already made a silent vow in his heart. After Lucius was turned to cannon fodder by Artoria's holy sword, he would definitely stand on Lucius's grave and sing a rendition of "Today is a Good Day"!
Aslan gripped his holy sword and charged towards Lucius. At the same time, his other hand was silently preparing to take out suitable equipment for retreat from his Mystic Code, which stored his various works.
The holy sword and the demonic sword clashed. Melusine kicked at Lucius from the side. Aslan took the opportunity to slip past Lucius and reach the doorway. He then threw two flying knives from his hand, the blades of which were, of course, densely covered in Faerie Letters.
Lucius easily knocked the flying knives away. The two knives landed at his feet. At the same time, Melusine also retreated to the doorway. Lucius looked at the departing Aslan and took two steps forward. "You think you can leave so easily? You underestimate me!"
But just as Lucius's voice fell, the two flying knives he had knocked down emitted a Brilliant flash of light.