Night Raid Establishment

"So, what's this Scumbag Killer and Night Raid all about?" Lubbock could only accept his fate bitterly as the labeled scumbag killer. 

His rational side wanted to refuse, considering how shady this all sounded, but his impulses and attraction towards the beautiful blonde with emerald eyes before him left him with no option to decline.

His sole chance to get close to her was here. 

While it might seem delusional to harbor hopes of a romantic relationship with the Empress of Rome, his life was never short of delusions. 

Furthermore, the more he interacted with her, the clearer it became that she wasn't your typical cold noblewoman, meant to be admired from a distance. 

She was someone who could seamlessly blend in with the common folk, a fact that both flattered and intrigued him.

It wasn't just an act of closeness for political reasons; it was genuine. 

Her fun personality shone through in their interactions, adding another layer of appeal.

Unfortunately, he misjudged; it's not because she's genuinely anything, but rather, she was incapable of having emotions like hate or disdain toward something that didn't annoy her. 

She only has the capability for something like that towards someone she sees as an enemy or as crossing the line; for the rest of the populace, she just holds neutral ground. 

Her view towards others leans towards pragmatism, self-interest, and narcissism rather than emotion. 

If they cross the line or ruin her interest, then she would see them as nothing more than something she needs to eliminate or humiliate.

"Before we talk about Night Raid or the fancy title that Acte gives, what do you think about Rome now, Lubbock?" Nero dropped her teacup while staring at the man with a serious expression on her face, completely different from her dramatic persona that she wore previously.

"I don't know, to be honest, Caesar. It looks fine to me. If you ask me about my opinion of you, I can answer truthfully," Lubbock answered honestly.

"So, what do you think of me then?" Nero asked curiously.

"I don't think it's necessary, Nero. He probably just wants to sweet-talk his way or say something flowery," Acte whispered in a low voice when she saw the guy clearing his throat and probably thinking of how to praise her monarch in long words that were very useless in her opinion and unpractical.

"Give the guy a chance, Acte," Nero spoke.

Although she wasn't even sure herself, she still spoke up for the guy, hoping he would say something useful, not useless, long-flirting words. 

Perhaps seeing the distrustful look of the two girls, Lubbock decided to take back what he wanted to say previously and began to think of some words that wouldn't upset them.

"Ahem... Well, honestly, the impression I get of Caesar is from other people in Suburbia or the tavern rather than knowing her personally. They think you are great for stopping your mad mother from ruining Rome and for putting Vindex in his place, that's what they say," Lubbock stated.

Vindex and Agrippina's popularity in Rome wasn't that great, even worse, which is why when Nero opposed them and put them in their place, she gained a massive boost in reputation.

"Not only great, she was the best," Acte corrected. 

It wasn't a lie; the way Nero took back her power from a precarious position when she was trapped in Rome was impressive. 

Considering how Vindex was in Gaul, her mother in Rome, Vitellius in Teuton, Galba in Spain, the Parthian Empire, Jerusalem, and Britannia were all basically against her, and she managed to solve them in one move at the banquet she would hold later, it was enough to show how great her monarch was. 

Although Acte knew it wouldn't be easy to take back power from them in the name of marshaled legion for her campaign in the Parthian Empire, she was confident that her monarch would be fine. 

Probably.

Lubbock continued. "It's only in Suburbia and in the tavern, Caesar. They just say what they like based on something that they truly like. They don't care about reason. If they hated it, they hated it. When they saw you stopping their suffering from your mad mother and boosting their ego by putting Vindex in his place, they loved you."

"But it wasn't without criticism. I'm very sure that people from your class who care very much about honor, ethics, and reason would think of you as nothing more than a tyrant, despite the fact that your reasons were justified."

"Are you secretly from the patriarch, perhaps?" Acte cast a suspicious gaze at Lubbock. If he wasn't, then how did he know?

"Stop pressuring him, Acte," Nero commanded. 

She didn't like how her subordinates seemed to not get along with each other and stopped them from arguing once and for all.

"Yes, Nero," Acte obeyed.

"It's fine, Caesar. I'm not from the patriarch, but a pure plebeian. However, I'm great at reading people and have read a lot of books, especially as I have met some patriarchs in the tavern in the past with some pretty wenches," Lubbock said with nostalgia in his face.

"Let me guess, you slept with that wench and learned about that noble from her?" Nero deadpanned.

"Ahem... I was a virgin, have you forgotten, Caesar?" Lubbock coughed in embarrassment.

"Scum," Acte whispered. 

It's not rare for scumbags to proclaim themselves as virgins to hunt mature women who prefer boys and virgins over experienced men. 

Perhaps the guy admitted he was a virgin to impress her monarch.

"Without further ado, let me explain what Night Raid was and how the scumbag killer role played into all of this," Nero explained.

"The thing is like this..."