Hauling To Gaul And A Troubled Empress

Entry 162:

Linus Ozias POV:

As we fly across what would become France, Ritsuka asks for the fifth time, "Are we there yet?" I simply smile at her as I say in response, "You know, when I was designing this vessel, I had come up with many different ideas on how to improve it, like, for example, an escape pod I can launch that can fit up to six people or one Ritsuka if she asks that again."

Ritsuka then sits down as Mash sighs, to which Nero simply asks, "What is an escape pod?" I explain, "Well, Empress, an escape pod is meant to be used in an emergency if the ship is ever too damaged to fly, and we need to leave the ship safely. Think of it in a manner similar to rowboats on triremes."

The Empress nods as she says, "I completely understand, but I must ask, in the case of our orange-haired friend, how far are we from Gaul?" I then say, "According to my calculations, we are almost at the Gaul border, so around five more minutes." She nods as I hear Karna ask me in my mind, "Master, how did you build such a vessel? I have only seen Gods create such wonders."

Internally, I am laughing as this ship pales compared to the vessels of the Necrons or Eldar, as those ships could destroy worlds in one shot, never mind C'tan tech that destroys entire solar systems. But to answer this question, I say, "Time, effort, and imagination, my friend."

Karna almost chuckles as he says, "Those three do represent a strong force, but I do have to ask how we shall proceed." After a couple of minutes of thinking, all I can say is, "For one, dealing with the free servants that created this United Roman Empire is paramount to restoring history and then finding the Holy Grail, so we shall aid Nero in her endeavors."

But then Karna poses a rather tricky question: "But why? I can sense your power, and you could end this in seconds. Why do you limit yourself? Even if Nero is as energetic as she is, we could have helped without even seeing her." I remain silent as I ponder an answer. While yes, that is possible and even likely, do I truly wish to rush through all of this and be a typical Gary Stu, or maybe I already am?

Am I simply enjoying the ride or being too passive? Maybe I am, and for once, I do not feel over-encumbered as I can rely on others to finish this for me. Unlike in Worm, DXD, or RWBY, there are others more capable than myself, at least in terms of strategic and logistical minds.

But that is the doubt once again creeping in as I simply say, "I cannot answer that question simply as it can be simply my selfishness or passivity, but more than that, I wish to enjoy these moments. It is idiotic and maybe even cruel, but I wish to take my time for as long as possible."

Make no mistake, as soon as anything not within my design happens, all hell will break loose while I feel my strength returning. It will take some time before I can take care of Goetia, which is mainly why I have not cleared these singularities. To give myself time, and even that excuse will only last a couple more days, maybe a week at the longest.

Or maybe I just want to flex. Who knows? But for now, Karna goes silent as I ask Nero, "Where do you wish for us to land?" Nero then says, "I have gained word of a camp set up by the Gaul expedition, and from where we are, it should be close."

I nod and take the ship down so as not to attract attention, and as we disembark, Ritsuka stretches as she says, "So, who exactly leads the expedition?" Nero then says, "Oh, you see, it is actually rather funny." The sounds of fighting nearby then cut her off.

It seems the expedition has met up with a small force sent by the URE (United Roman Empire), and as we approach, Nero says, "Alright, all of you take the left. I will go right." 

I nod as I send Artoria to help her as the rest of us charge into battle, with Ritsuka and Mash fighting together. Specifically, Ritsuka asked if she might fight with us, and I gave her a pair of Shocker gloves.

You know, the gloves from the MCU that give their user the ability to produce vibrations at such a frequency and power that they can cause small earthquakes. Luckily, Ritsuka has experience in martial arts if essential, but the suit and gloves make her a demi-god to those who yield only regular iron swords.

As I say this, she punches one into another as she dodges another swipe from an enemy's sword and, in response, launches one soldier into a tree, and that smile says it all. Mostly, I gave her those gloves specifically so that she could have a non-lethal option instead of just straight-up disintegrating people.

She and Mash fight side by side as Mash uses her shield to send one soldier flying into the air, with Ritsuka slamming the man into the ground using her gloves to propel herself forward and upwards. It is actually quite impressive that she is so adaptable with the gloves, really showing the protagonist's adaptability.

In my case, I am using this opportunity to practice my martial arts as I disable soldier after soldier, targeting their pressure point so that they fall still and are cleaned up by other soldiers, and to that end, I am succeeding as groups of men rush at me to then fall onto the ground unable to move or speak. 

The other servants are dealing with the enemies in their specific ways, with Artoria cutting through them with Excalibur and Nobu using her katana as Karna backs them up with his spear.

Nero then, with one stab, impales a man with her sword and bashes another soldier in the face with the impaled soldier's helmet, which looks pretty metal. She then takes her sword and stabs the beat-up soldier to repeat the process. 

If the untrained eye were to look at her fighting style, it would seem instinctual and brutal, but in mine, it is natural and powerful using her innate physical might against the enemy.

Within minutes of us joining the battle, all of the soldiers are either dead or knocked out, with Ritsuka somehow juggling them in the air as Mash shakes her head. Nero then smiles as she says, "Victory is ours!" The men cheer as we gather the prisoners and take them to the camp blindfolded, of course.

As we walk towards the camp, which is only a couple minutes away but hidden by a bounded field, Nero says joyously, "You handled those veterans like they were nobodies. With such small numbers, too. Was that thanks to Mash's skills? Or was it your leadership, Viceroy Ozias? Either way, you're more intriguing than when we first met. Listen, rather than a guest commander, want to serve me? You'll get to savor all the glory of this world by my side. I mean, after we've defeated the United Empire, of course."

I wave my hand and say, "Let us think about it as we are rather free spirits after all, even if the offer is tempting. Besides, it is not just me helping you. All of us have contributed to this victory." 

Nero then smiles and says, "How modest! Very well, think it over! I will wait as the things I have seen will inspire me for years to come."

That statement almost gives me pause, but I keep walking. Soon enough, we see a camp in the distance, essentially just a group of large tents with a sizeable training field. As we make our way there, Nero says, "Oh, and to answer your question, Viceroy Ritsuka, my commanders are Boudica, queen of Britannia, and Spartacus, the Gladiator of Rebellion."

All of us remain silent hearing this information as the former quite literally died and had all of her daughters raped during Nero's regime. Spartacus was a gladiator who led a rebellion against Rome, and yet they are serving with Nero. 

Our silence then says many words as Nero says, "I can understand the confusion, but we are led by a common purpose as while those two may have their grievances against Rome, the United Roman Empire represents a far greater threat, at least in their eyes, and I shall take advantage of it. Marvel at my strategic planning, umu."

There are many things I want to say, but I remain silent as we enter the camp and see a young woman with red hair wielding a sword and shield, speaking to a tall and blond, muscular man wearing little clothes who is holding a short sword. Nero, being Nero, gains everyone's attention by saying.

"I, Emperor Nero Claudius, have arrived! I shall allow you to listen carefully! Soldiers of the Gaul expedition, thank you for your efforts for me, my subjects, and my Rome! I have now come to the expedition's aid. You now have a mighty general here with you! There's no reason for us to lose this battle! As belongs to me and the Rome you all love!" All the men other than Spartacus and Boudica cheer, as Romani says.

[It is rather interesting to see her so charismatic in comparison to her reign in later times, but I asked you all not to tell her as those in the past should never know the preordained future.]

We nod as the two other commanders approach. Who I assume to be Boudica, says in a welcoming tone, "Well, Emperor Nero Claudius came earlier than I thought. Are you two the guest commanders I've heard so much about? I guess looks can be deceiving. Thank you for traveling so far. I'm Boudica."

The man then steps towards me and looks me dead in the eyes and, as we stare at one another, the man swipes his sword at me, and as I clash with him, causing a small tremor, he keeps looking into my eyes, but as fast as he attacks, he stopped and laughed as he said "You have a good form I can feel your experience from here travelers. But you all should feel lucky as the battlefield is full of oppressors, and here we end them all. Welcome to Rome."

Nero looks almost surprised as she says, "Wow, Sparatcaus rarely likes someone at first sight. This is something to be remembered." The others look confused other than Karna, as Romani says. [Can you and Nero understand him, Ozzy?]

I nod as we shake hands like real men with our hands grasping at our forearms, to which he smiles widely and says, "Yes, I can feel it. Together, both of us shall render tyranny from its decadent nests."

I nod along with Nero as she then appears to get dizzy and says, "While I would love to continue this, I feel tired, so I will go rest. Viceroys continue to aid these two, and I shall soon return." Nero then walks into her tent as I shake my head.

The insanity is beginning to take hold as it is a combination of inbreeding as well as the poison that runs through her veins. I want so desperately to simply heal her, but I cannot, as I cannot change history. 

If I do, this timeline will be forever altered, and Nero may become a BEAST. But while I cannot heal her, I can help her with the pain, and even though I cannot see it, I feel her smile as she attempts to rest.

For now, though, I use my enhanced senses to scan the entirety of this part of Europe, and I feel the location of each different general, from Caesar and Caligula to Alexander the Great, along with Zhuge Liang, who has given his saint graph to Waver Velvet or Lord El Melloi II and even Romulus himself. I shall keep vigil over them for now, but any unpredictable movement will be taken care of.

While I do seek to enjoy the ride, it does not mean I shall remain passive. Besides, this is a battle against tyranny, after all, and what is the best way to deal with tyranny? Using overwhelming force.