Throne of Heroes, a Chess Match Through Time

"Arcueid... Do you still communicate with Gaia?" As soon as he arrived, her brother suddenly asked her about her mother, which made her eyes brighten.

"Do you want to make peace with her, brother?"

"No, I want to make a transaction with them."

His negative answer undoubtedly darkened her expression.

"Do you hate her that much?"

"Hah... I have already told you, Arcueid, it's impossible for us to co-exist."

"Okay then..." Arcueid gave up her attempt to convince her brother and began to communicate with her mother.

"She said she would be waiting for you in the Throne of Heroes. To be precise, Alaya is waiting for you. She has a surprise for you, it's what Mother said."

"Tell Altrouge, Arcueid, I need her to rule in my stead for a hundred years. She should maintain a defensive and passive stance. I will leave for a hundred years and have already taken care of many things before I left. China is no longer a threat; they will have their own problems soon." Titus patted her shoulder and left without giving her a chance to speak.

His act of killing Sima Yan undoubtedly marked the beginning of the Western Jin Dynasty's civil strife between the Eight Princes, who are Sima Yan's sons. The heir Sima Yan chose had a mental disability, leading his other sons to fight for power among themselves.

This civil war weakened their empire, making them vulnerable to foreign tribes like the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Ji, and many others who are non-Chinese. They would eventually replace the Han, the natives of China. This period was the darkest moment for China, sparked by a single act.

Before he left, Titus had already prepared many things. He took care of all his neighboring rivals to prevent them from becoming threats and to weaken them simultaneously. He needed to leave, not for anything else but to wait for Ragnarok to happen and for China to destroy itself in civil war. He didn't need to set the world on fire; they would burn themselves.

He didn't need to dirty his hands to take care of them.

Moreover, he had important things to do in those hundred years.

He could afford to sit back and watch it all burn.

When he arrived at the Throne of Heroes, he wasn't greeted by Alaya but by his old friend.

"My friend, welcome to the Throne of Heroes. Sit down." The fat man grinned as he greeted his old friend, Titus Brunestud. They were in the middle of a colosseum, but instead of watching a gladiator match, they sat in the middle of the colosseum with a chessboard in front of them as Titus took his seat.

"It seems someone really knows what I wanted most when I arrived, my friend. Shall I be honored?" Titus chuckled.

"Indeed, Alaya wants to speak with you, but she seems to know that you probably missed your old friend more than wanting to talk with her." The fat man laughed along with his old friend's cheerful reply.

"Time is indeed like blowing wind; it goes and leaves quietly. It's almost like a dream. In the blink of an eye, we are already here," Titus sighed nostalgically.

"There is something I didn't understand, Caesar. I already warned you of the assassination scheme of the Senate. Why were you still stubborn about marching to your own demise?" Titus asked.

"For Rome," Gaius Julius Caesar answered firmly. However, he didn't elaborate, and Titus didn't press.

"How about you, Titus? Does your relationship with Cleopatra still continue? The poem you left for her was very impressive. Unfortunately, you only made one and didn't make another afterward," Caesar sighed in a regrettable tone.

"She is in the reverse side of the world along with Venus, your mother," Titus answered simply.

"You should follow the path I told you, my friend. The Throne of Heroes is not an honorable place. It's slavery. It's better that you go to the Reverse Side of the World with them."

Caesar didn't comment on that and changed the topic.

"How about we have a match in chess, Titus? It's been a very long time since we played a mind game. I'm curious about how far you've come."

"We shall," Titus chuckled.

"Not only will I defeat you, but I will crush you, my friend."

...

Flashback

"Hey, Titus, have you heard about Cleopatra? It is said she is not only beautiful but also the richest woman, richer than Rome. The old king spoiled her too much. She inherited all his wealth, while his son inherited his kingdom. Hah... If I get such a rich and beautiful woman, I believe I can lead Rome to greater heights," Caesar boasted.

"In your dreams, Caesar. I will get her before you," Titus mocked.

Their banter was a classic case of youthful arrogance and competition.

We see these dudes in their prime - young, cocky, and chasing after the ultimate prize: Cleopatra's glorious booty. No shame in that game, my friends.

At this time, Julius Caesar and Titus Brunestud were not yet Imperator and King of Vampires. They were not at their peak but were still youthful, simply perverted youths looking for delicious pussy rather than megalomaniac tyrants and ruthless rulers of the future.

What changed them?

What made such a youth that simply pursued pleasure and debauchery in life into such ruthless individuals?

It's time, circumstance, and the decay of their nation. If they didn't change, their nation would crumble, and they would be nothing more than dust among the insignificant.

Their nation needed leaders, and they were the answer to that question.

If they weren't, who would lead? Who would create the miracle in the future? No one, because they never believed in putting their destiny in others' hands. They were stubborn in their own right.

And this change is what led the simple hedonist youth into powerful and ruthless leaders.

"I will not lose this time," Caesar vowed.

"We will see," Titus smirked.

"Unfortunately, we are Rome, and they hated Rome," Caesar sighed.

"I'm not Rome, though," Titus corrected.

"Yes, you are not, but your identity is. My mother made you a citizen of Rome. Well, to be precise, she made up a fictional noble house for you to use," Caesar chuckled. "I don't know what you did to make her go so far."

Hearing Caesar lament, Titus touched his nose in embarrassment. Of course, she did; she was one of his night-stand conquests, after all.

He decided to change the topic and said, "Anyway, since you don't dare to meet Cleopatra, then I will."

"Good luck, my friend," Caesar said, not believing that his friend could conquer that woman. The hostility between nations was too evident. It was impossible for Titus even to have the chance.

Oh boy... He was wrong and would come to regret not going with Titus as he watched his leaving back, ready to conquer Cleopatra's pussy.

Hah...

What a confident lad.

Hopefully, being rejected by Cleopatra didn't crush his confidence.

Caesar shook his head and lamented.

He may not be the smoothest operator, but he recognizes the political realities that prevent him from wooing Cleo. Titus, however, gives zero fucks.

While lamenting in Rome, Titus, meanwhile, exuded pure confidence, ready to conquer both Cleopatra and the Nile at the same time.