Common Misery

As if completely forgot about the unpleasantness of the banquet yesterday, Lucius happily stood up and greeted Artorius with his knights as he entered his tent.

"Lord Artorius, there's no need to be so formal."

He appeared joyful and, after exchanging greetings with Artorius, started discussing the arrangements for Artorius and his Britain knights.

"We didn't have much fun yesterday, did we? That kid can't understand the pleasures of adults, guhahaha..."

It seemed that he had learned about the relationship between Artorius and Mordred from somewhere.

"But it doesn't matter. Once we reach Rome, I assure you, you'll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the luxuries of Rome!"

His eyes gleamed with unmasked greed. It was a desire for Artorius and his Britain knights under his command. Lucius wanted to seize this powerful armed force. Therefore, his decision was to bring Artorius to Rome.

The great, glorious Eternal City still stood on the Italian Peninsula.

Although in certain timelines, the Western Roman Empire had relocated to Ravenna after a series of chaos and turmoil, in the timeline where Artorius existed, despite facing two invasions by the Huns and the Goths, Lucius had tenaciously rebuilt the city. He had brought all kinds of worldly extravagance and luxury into the city.

Artorius and his knights were the Emperor's precious assets in Rome.

According to his plan, Artorius and his knights would become a part of this Eternal City. Just like the Roman nobles, they would quickly immerse themselves in the prosperity and decadence of Rome. They would serve him and no longer pose a threat to the Empire.

Unfortunately, Artorius decisively rejected him. His reason was...

"My men and I don't want to stray too far from our homeland. Please allow us to operate in the northern continent."

"...What do you mean...?"

The Emperor's gaze gradually became dangerous. And he secretly decided that if Artorius, like those barbarian allies, demanded a piece of Gaul land, he would categorize Artorius as one of the most dangerous enemies.

After occupying Gaul for several centuries, it had become the Empire's most important and prosperous territory. None could rival it.

Unlike the mountainous regions of Spain and Italy or the cold lands of Germania, Gaul was flat, warm, surrounded by three seas, and easy to defend. In the age of agriculture, it was the best land blessed by God, the optimal foundation for ruling Europe.

For the Western Roman Empire, losing Spain, North Africa, Britain, or Germania posed no problem. Gaul, however, was different. It was the second most important territory after Italy.

Within this crucial territory, there should not be too many strong 'barbarians'.

But unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Artorius's proposal surprised Lucius for quite some time before he regained his composure.

What Artorius desired was not to occupy a place in the vast and prosperous Gaul. He wanted to acquire the lands of Upper Germania.

Those lands were colder and faced the frontline of the Germanic barbarians. They were regions where Rome exiled criminals and those who had failed in political struggles.

More importantly, those lands, just like the neighboring provinces of Lower Germania, Raetia and Belgica, had already fallen under harsh weather and the invasion of mad barbarians.

In other words, if Artorius wanted that land, he would have to seize it himself.

"Are you sure about this, Lord Artorius?" Lucius looked at Artorius with surprise. "That's not a good place, you know."

"Yes, as a knight, it is my fate to be on the battlefield! Rather than spending the rest of my life in the splendor of Rome, I'd prefer to enjoy war in the northern icy lands!"

"..."

"Very well." Lucius pondered for a few seconds and then made a decision. "Then I entrust you with this task. I will appoint you as the Governor of Upper Germania and provide partial military funding and provisions. Continue to serve Rome faithfully in the future."

At this point, Lucius had made up his mind.

Since Artorius had chosen this path, he would treat Artorius as Rome's watchdog. He would let him and his followers, together with the barbarians of those frigid lands, perish.

However...

Artorius's next words completely changed Lucius's resolution.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Artorius said earnestly, "After all, Romans and Celts share a common misery."

"What did you say?!" After a few seconds of astonishment, Lucius interrogated, "How dare you! I am the mighty Rome—"

"—an era, a fate, the 'Mystery' is fading." Artorius's three words choked the Emperor's words.

As the Roman Emperor, Lucius Tiberius, who carried the role of a 'Savior' similar to his mother, as King Arthur, with the mission to save Rome, couldn't possibly be unaware of the fading of the Age of Gods and the dominance of the Counter Force.

The inhabitants of the Age of Gods that the Counter Force aimed to exterminate were not limited to the Celts alone.

From the perspectives of the 'Age of Gods' and its association with 'Mystery', the arrogance of Romans surpassed that of the Celts by far.

Even though they had abandoned the traditional ancient beliefs of chosen gods, the connection between Rome and the Mystery had not been entirely eradicated.

The 'Savior of Rome' before their eyes was proof of that.

Lucius Tiberius was clearly a human, but his combat prowess was not inferior to that of the Son of Dragon Artorius.

Blessings from gods, a magic sword, the strength of a giant, and the 'power' from the Roman god Romulus—all of it allowed this Emperor to possess strength comparable to that of gods.

Rome boasted tens of thousands of mages, possessed the strongest magecraft in all of Europe, and even tamed powerful Phantasmal Species like 'Giants'.

In this waning Age of Gods, in an age where the True Ether was continuously dissipating, leaving only remnants, this was truly a great miracle.

Unlike their Eastern relatives, who chose to completely abandon Mystery, beliefs, and way of life, Western Rome was the sole remaining shell of the Age of Gods. The Emperor of the Western Roman Empire still held the final stronghold.

From the perspective of national strategy, Britain and the Western Roman Empire were enemies.

However, from the perspective of the remnants of the Age of Gods, who were fighting against the Counter Force, they were undeniably allies.

"It seems that I can trust you a little more, Lord Artorius."

The Roman Emperor deeply looked at Artorius and said, "Go, my governor. For me, and for yourself, go and confront this age, confront this world, confront everything that seeks to destroy us. I will provide all the support you desire in Rome."

"Your will is my duty, Your Majesty."

Artorius bowed to him, and during the process of bowing, he lowered his head deeply to prevent the other party from noticing the desires and ambitions in his eyes.