Eternal City

Take a good look and be struck with awe! This is my city, a glorious regime that even young girls extol!

？！

Yes, yes, didn't I tell you? After all, this is the greatest city in the world!

First, there was Septem Montes Such words existed like so.

And that's where it all started. Our glorious history began with our divine ancestors and those hills.

And... Hey, shopkeeper, I'm taking one of these apples.

Welcome to my... Oh! Your Majesty! Please, take as you wish. Glory to the Emperor and Rome!

Shopkeeper, you don't have to be so stiff. Yes, yes, this is a delicious apple.

Why don't you take one too? We're returning from war, so no need to worry about bad manners.

Sweet fruit does wonders for battle fatigue. My wounds won't be healed, but my motivation will!

Oh, no thank you. But I appreciate the gesture...

Then how about that man over there? They're delicious, don't be shy.

Ah, that is a wonderful apple.

Really? That's pretty modest of you.

Well, for me? I'm usually humble about things too, you know?

But I want to show off a little ahem. A-Anyway.

(She's cute...)

(How cute...)

？！

Umu. Once again, I like you.

Honestly, I'm unclear about what you speak of... But I can tell that you and that girl are honest people.

It's a relief to hear you say that, Emperor Nero.

It might be best to think of us simply as a mage and his pupils.

Is that so? Then let us forget this confusing talk of Masters and Servants.

You are the mage's pupils, and the mage speaks from a distant land.

And? You also said your goal is to aid me?

Yes. You aren't wrong about that.

The center of the world, and the world itself. The name of the greatest empire that rules the world is Rome.

In this era, there should be no threat to the city. The Grail's influence must be upsetting events.

If I am right, this era's singularity is probably the existence of the great Roman Empire.

An empire that greatly influenced later generations. Stopping its destruction would fix the singularity.

...Mm, Mm Mm...

...S-Sorry, I don't quite understand. Please speak a bit more in my range of understanding.

Sorry, he can be a bit too theoretical... I'll explain.

We seek something called the Holy Grail, a magical item with special powers.

It's causing a great many disturbances just by being here.

The odds are great that the Grail is the problem eating away at Rome now.

...I see. This Holy Grail is damaging my Rome.

Yes. It must sound astounding to you...

No, neither strange nor weird. This Holy Grail. It strangely... Worries me...

Never mind, a needless concern of mine. It's just a nightmare I had once.

Right. Come with me, let's talk freely in my home.

...Wait, what? Is there something wrong at the market?

H-Hey! What's this! What are you people doing to my shop!

Fou!?

How dare you do this to my Rome, and my people! Are they enemy spies? Either way, it's unforgivable!

...Senpai, we should go too! The townsfolk are being attacked!

Now then. My Rome is currently endangered.

My great empire's territories are now, vexingly enough, ripped apart and scattered all over.

On one hand, there is the true Roman Empire that I rule over. The area centered around this capital, Rome.

On the other hand, there is an alliance controlled by multiple "emperors", that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

The United Roman Empire. That's what they called themselves when they stole half of my empire.

The United Empire is still a mystery to us. No matter how many scouts we send out, none ever return.

Even the location of the capital where these fake emperors gather is unknown to us.

Multiple emperors, you say?

That's right. In my eyes, they're just a group of treacherous bandits.

And...

...No, it's not worth mentioning. Just rebels spreading their vicious lies.

They call themselves emperors, but they're just pretenders.

？！

...Senpai.

No, it's fine. You saw one of them before.

Caligula, the enemy general. The man who singlehandedly slaughtered my forces before you arrived.

He's one of the traitors who calls himself "emperor." As well as being...

...my uncle.

Shouldn't he be dead already?

Yes, dear formless mage. That is correct.

Even our Court Mage was killed by Uncle Caligula, but if he was still alive you might have gotten along well.

Our mage boasted that he had overcome death. In truth, he showed me some impressive spells.

But... He was killed by that one "emperor's" sword.

A master of spells who shouldn't have died, yet died easily. ...It shouldn't be possible, yet, he did.

To easily beat a mage of this era... That's no ordinary human. It's a Servant.

That must be causing the historical anomaly. One of the "emperors" got hold of the Grail.

It's highly likely that is the cause of this era's singularity.

Honestly, the United Empire is very strong. Violent battles are occurring all over and the people suffer.

I've dispatched all my serving viceroys and generals, and thrown nearly every troop at them. Yet the United Empire's power is undiminished.

Recently, an expeditionary force of theirs pressed in on the capital. They even managed to get inside.

I only had a few of my troops to defend us.

I hate to say it... But it showed me that this situation is beyond my ability to break by myself.

Therefore. I order you, no, I implore you!

Become my generals! Then Rome and I shall assist you in obtaining this Holy Grail!

Such a heaven-sent proposal. It seems we have a common cause.

That's right. What do you think, Senpai?

Ah, I see! I see! That's a quick response!

Of course. As soon as the United Empire is beaten, I shall give you what you desire.

？！

I shall grant one of you the title of viceroy, as well as reward for the work you've already done.

Rest well tonight. I shall prepare quarters suitable for a viceroy for you.

Oh yes, will the invisible mage require them as well?

Don't worry about me. Supplying a room for those two will be enough.

By the way Your Majesty, have you ever heard the name Lev Lainur?

...Lev? No I haven't, who is he?

A mage of our era. He betrayed Chaldea and all humanity.

There's a chance he's in this era. Although, I don't know if he's revealed himself or taken any action.

A mage from a foreign land? ...Hmm.

I've heard there is a powerful mage in the United Empire. It's only a rumor, but someone saw that mage on the front lines.

...It's possible. Your Majesty, I have a request.

Speak.

I'd like Mash and Fujimaru to be deployed as close to the front lines as possible.

I don't mind, but... Will Fujimaru be all right?

...Yes. Lev Lainur is our enemy.

...Yes, Master.

...That's right. We can't let him go after the way he killed the Director.

？！

Very well. Nero Claudius will honor your request.

I shall pray to the gods and divine ancestors of Rome that your enemy be defeated.

But first, how about a feast before you rest!

Not as grand as usual due to the war, but it will still be a feast where I spare no efforts.

Fujimaru, Mash, do you drink? We have something special imported from the Orient!

Oh, uh, no drinking for me thanks...

Your Majesty! The eastern city gate is under attack by a mid-size United Empire force!

I think they're remnants of that expeditionary force! Our eastern gate can't hold them back!

...Grr. Just as I was about to have a rare pleasant feast.

Go Mash, Fujimaru. Looks like your time has come.

It won't be unusual if another Servant shows up as an enemy general. Stay on guard!

Understood. ...Senpai, shall we?

？！

Yes!

I'm counting on you Viceroy Fujimaru. Show those skills you demonstrated before!

The feast can wait! We'll look forward to it!

Enemy forces sighted. They're in battle formation.

You're facing human forces, not Servants or monsters. Take it easy on them you two.

Got it. Master, your commands please.

The sun is setting, but it seems the attack isn't over yet.

I'm worried about the enemy's numbers. Keep an eye on Fujimaru's stamina and magical energy consumption.

Yes Doctor. Master, try not to exert yourself too much.

...It's getting dark, huh?

The enemy isn't letting up. As expected in the age of close combat, they all have incredible stamina!

Still, this is where you need to make your stand. Don't let your guard down, Fujimaru!

...Whew. The enemy is retreating.

There didn't seem to be any Servants among them. They were all human soldiers.

No mages that could be Lev, huh? Anyway, good job. It's gotten really dark.

Let's head back, Senpai. If there's a night raid, we'll be in for another battle.

You should rest while you can. Didn't I tell you as much this morning?

Okay.

What?

？！

Hahaha! Then I think I'll go back to my room and sleep.

I have to check Magi☆Mari's blog too. She should've updated her diary by now...

Wh-Why are you looking at me like some sort of pitiful creature? What's wrong with internet idols?

They're truly the ideal "idols," untainted by the hand of the media, TV networks, or even morals!

You've noticed a vital point. The outside world has definitely been destroyed.

Which means Magi☆Mari and that HP will no longer be updated...Is that what you think?

Fool! Magi☆Mari is a supreme idol who has transcended beyond this world's circumstances!

...Well actually, she's been recreated as an auto-generated AI from her original data.

？！

Doctor, it's not my place to comment on the hobby of a 30-year old bachelor, but please do your job.

Otherwise, I'll be forced to delete that "secret" folder of yours.

C-Come on now, it's a joke! I'm always checking your surroundings and finding data!

Anyway, get some rest you two. The Emperor's also waiting for your report.