Chapter 34

"Novia, I…"

Shiyali looked up towards the sky again, the warm sunlight hitting her cheeks. The light held an inorganic radiance, shining like gold, just like the day she first met him. Novia had said strange things under such light back then.

The girl's mind conjured the image of their first meeting in Alexandria. Come to think of it, today was just like that day, nothing had changed…

She thought with a sense of boredom.

"Sorry, Lucius, could you head inside for a bit? I'll give it to you later."

"Alright."

Lucius didn't think much of it upon hearing her request. He nodded and went back inside.

Afterward, Shiyali took out the gift she had originally intended to give Novia. It was a stone, something she had thought about for a long time before deciding to give it. It was an item she had developed that could engrave sound onto it.

Although the rules of the Atlas Institute strictly prohibited the public disclosure of one's research, the old director seemed to act as if he hadn't noticed that Shiyali had brought out the item to give to someone else.

While having Lucius convey her message would have been an option, the purple-haired girl still felt it would be better for Novia to hear it directly.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew past, and she felt an inexplicable tremor run down her spine. In that instant, she suddenly remembered the uneaten food she had stored away so carefully. She had intended to return it to him this time…

Her cold fingers caressed the stone, and Shiyali couldn't help but grumble inwardly. If only Novia were here.

How long was he planning to be gone? She really couldn't understand him. Ever since meeting him, she felt her mind was constantly filled with question marks.

Speaking of which, it wasn't just now, but if only Novia could be by her side every single second.

So, her feelings all along were that she wanted him to join the Atlas Institute. Indeed, his design philosophy and way of thinking perfectly matched her tastes. However, it was a shame, as it seemed impossible now, considering he had already joined another organization.

"Should I really say it…"

The girl, holding the stone to her lips, uttered a few brief words as if talking to herself.

The words she wanted to say had already jumped to her throat, and then, due to an unknown emotion, she swallowed them along with her saliva.

But the purple-haired girl took another deep breath, ignoring the heat radiating from her body, and engraved the words in her heart onto the stone.

"Novia, there's something I want to tell you. Even if you might say you don't need it, I still want to tell you… Congratulations on achieving your goal. You're amazing, and I'm really looking forward to our next meeting."

064: Being Nero's teacher is reason enough.

"A gift from Shiyali."

Having returned to Rome from Armageddon, Novia received the gift from Shiyali via Lucius not long after. He was now toying with the stone in his hand, rubbing it continuously.

Unlike when they arrived, Melusine had insisted on returning by boat, and Novia had indulged her.

"Shiyali? That purple-haired human?"

Melusine had a deep impression of that name. It was because when she first saw Novia, he was carrying that weak person on his back. At the time, her dissatisfaction with her head being refined into a weapon had somewhat lessened. After all, she quite liked people who showed kindness to those weaker than them.

However, her mindset had undergone a complete 180-degree change from back then. She cared about only one thing—

"Could it be that she likes you too?"

"Don't worry, she and I are just friends."

Novia affirmed naturally, reaching out to pinch her cheek.

"Mhm, I believe you."

Melusine was confident that Novia would never lie. He might hide things, but he never uttered falsehoods.

"Speaking of which, what's the use of this stone?" Melusine asked again. "Although it has some magical power attached to it, it's very weak. Could there be some principle at play that I don't understand?"

"I don't know either, but no matter what, it's a gift. Regardless of its use, the thought behind it is enough. I'll still keep it safe."

Although Novia knew it was a gift from Shiyali, it looked like nothing more than a stone with a faint magical aura… Perhaps it held some kind of blessing from Shiyali.

Little did he know, Shiyali had asked Lucius to deliver the stone containing her words to him, but she hadn't informed him of how to use it. Perhaps she had forgotten due to shyness, or perhaps she assumed it was common knowledge.

In any case, Novia couldn't hear Shiyali's words at that moment.

"It's getting late today, and it's about time—"

Before Novia could finish his sentence, Melusine, who had been pressed against his face, immediately came into his embrace with her arms spread wide. Her golden eyes blinked as if she had discovered something novel. She seemed to be yearning, her mouth slightly agape in a silly manner.

The dragon was asking for a kiss. She had made it a habit on the return boat trip. Every night before bed, she wanted Novia to kiss her, and to hold her body tightly. If Novia could gently bite her long tongue, that would be even better.

Since her physical body had not yet been fully acquired, after the kiss, Melusine would cling to Novia and sleep with him until dawn, only to request another kiss.

Naturally, today was no exception.

The next day, as Nero was still on the Greek peninsula and wouldn't be returning anytime soon, Novia, having learned the contents of the Sibylline Oracles, went to find Nero's mother, Agrippina, first.

"Princess Agrippina, it's been a while."

"It's you, Novia."

The last time Novia had seen her was at Nero's coronation ceremony. He hadn't seen her much since then, and Nero did not allow her to participate in political affairs.

The house where Agrippina resided seemed to swallow the sunlight filtering through the windows into its boundless darkness, causing no ripples on the white walls. The place felt like a coffin situated in a secluded corner, filled with an oppressive atmosphere.

"No matter how I look at it, Novia, you are truly pitiful."

Silence stretched on. Rather than Novia ignoring her, it was as if he were waiting for the woman to say more.

"Ah, ah, ah, because that child, the child who looks like a doll, is now the master of this great empire. Such a lovely child, my child." Agrippina cradled her face, a morbid smile appearing, as if she were talking to herself. "I truly love her."

"Ever since I returned from my exile, I decided that I would make our dear Nero the Emperor. For that, I can do anything, I will do anything, and I can persevere. To think that I've had this desire to devour everything since I was little. Truly, such a lovely doll…"

Novia watched her expression shift endlessly between gentle, mad, and terrifying.

"No matter what, you are, after all, her mother."

"That's right, I am her mother. She carries my blood, the blood of Agrippina the Elder, and the blood of Julia. Precisely because of that, you are the most pitiful, Novia."

Agrippina the Younger laughed maniacally.

"The so-called Emperor is meant to rule all things in place of the one in heaven. Everything is within their grasp, they are granted everything, and whatever they do is permitted. A god on Earth!"

Then, Agrippina cast a mocking gaze at Novia.

"Nero, it's impossible to change her. Look, prosperity reflects upon the empire, and ultimately brought her forth. The current her only misunderstands her own madness and desires because of your actions. She only loves you.

And precisely because I understand this, you are the most pitiful, Novia. In the end, either she will kill you, or you will kill her. Hahahahaha, I have been waiting, and waiting, for that day to arrive."

Julia, daughter of Octavian, was exiled by Octavian for her debauchery and adultery.

Agrippina the Elder, daughter of Julia, was exiled for treason and indecent behavior until she starved to death.

Agrippina the Younger, after her husband's death, seduced her brother Caligula, and when she failed, she then attempted to assassinate him. After her plot was exposed, she was exiled. Upon returning to Rome, she charmed the richest man in Rome at the time, leading him to marry her. Not long after, the richest man died. Finally, she enticed Emperor Claudius.

It can be seen from the experiences of these three women that they were all exceptionally promiscuous, even to the point where one after another, their transgressions became even more severe.

Therefore, generally speaking, Nero should also be—

"You must be thinking of something very pleasant right now, aren't you?"

A voice rang out with a smile, and Novia suddenly spoke.

"Agrippina, actually, that's just a very minor fact, one that anyone might overlook. Nero did lose her smile, that's all."

"Your words did momentarily give me the misconception that Nero being your child automatically meant something was wrong, but no. She is not Julia, not Agrippina the Elder, and certainly not you. She is Nero, and that's all."

"She will choose her own life. Even if her past cannot be changed, I will accept it. I will bear it all. That's all."

"The fact that I am her teacher is reason enough."

065: Teacher, Please Don't Abandon Me (4k)

Six days before Nero was to return to Rome, after the canal through the Isthmus of Corinth was completed.

The weather that day was cold and overcast, a gloomy sky with clouds interspersed with darkness from morning.

"It's raining, isn't it, Locusta."

"Ah… yes, Your Majesty."

Drinking the mushroom soup prepared by Locusta, Nero looked out the window with interest as the rain began to patter into the puddles reflecting the dim sky. The ripples that spread out then collided with each other, and before long, they vanished as if melting away.

"I wonder if it's raining in Rome as well. Though this amount of rain shouldn't cause river flooding, but even if it did, it wouldn't be a problem at all."

"Eh, is that so…"

Upon hearing her words, Locusta slowly turned her head and saw a gentle face suddenly appear before her.

Whatever Nero was thinking about, the corners of her mouth curved into an arc, and her expression was incredibly gentle and calm.

"Locusta," Nero said with a smile. "Guess why?"

"Um… Is it because of Lord Novia?"

"That's right, that's right," the Rose Emperor replied with a smile. "My teacher, he is like a star in the ocean of darkness and mud, incredibly, incredibly important. Not just to the empire, but to me as well. He's important, in short."

Locusta didn't quite understand what His Majesty the Emperor was saying, but she figured she was probably praising Novia, she thought.

As the two conversed, the sky continued to rain a mist-like rain. Locusta and Nero fell silent for a moment, gazing at the world before them. Beyond the gently trembling fine rain, the dark city stretched endlessly, and not a single person could be seen from here.

"Locusta, this is for you."

After a while, Nero called out to her again and handed Locusta a bottle with only a few drops of what appeared to be water left.

"This…"

Locusta looked confused. At this moment, Nero clearly stated.

"This is poison. You must use this as a baseline to create poison that is more potent and easier to control."

"…Your Majesty, isn't this…"

Although Locusta knew that refusing now was inappropriate, as the person before her was His Majesty the Emperor, she couldn't find any other suitable words.

Worried that it might displease Her Majesty, Locusta began to feel uneasy. She glanced at Nero's expression, but the blonde girl continued to offer her a cheerful smile.

"This is an order, not a request."

Such a terrifying gaze. This was the first time Locusta had seen the usually cheerful and lively Nero display such a frightening look, a look like swirling black mud that devoured everything.

Underneath such a gaze, even though Nero was smiling, Locusta felt as if she were instantly floating in some vast vortex. It felt as if unseen tides were swelling around her.

Therefore, under the weight of her fear, Locusta could only nod silently.

"That's wonderful. I've always wanted to do this. It's not too late to do it now," Nero said, tilting her head with a smile. "Although this should only be enjoyed by me alone, since you are to create better poison with this, Locusta, I permit you to taste it."

Upon hearing this, Locusta's first thought was 'No,' but another thought immediately flashed through her mind: 'The current Emperor has become so strange, so unfamiliar.'

But even so, Locusta, who had already been frightened out of her wits by Nero, still obeyed Nero's command. She gently dripped a drop of the liquid from the bottle into her hand and put it in her mouth, preparing to analyze the poison's contents. For some reason, she felt a subtle sense of familiarity… but true confusion also arose.

Locusta didn't know how to answer. Was His Majesty deliberately toying with her, or did she genuinely not know?

So, she remained silent. In the dim light of the room, Nero could be seen still smiling, as if liveliness was her true nature.

However, because Nero's stare was too terrifying, Locusta made up her mind and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I find this very strange."

"What is it? Could it be that even you cannot do it?" Nero asked, looking confused.

"No, it's because this thing has absolutely no poison..."

The atmosphere around them instantly fell silent. Only the hazy, unseeable fine rain continued to fall quietly from the gloomy sky. The darkness brought by the overcast weather extended endlessly, spreading outwards through the misty drizzle.

After an unknown amount of time had passed.

Locusta finally stole a glance at Nero, and her heart nearly stopped. Because from Nero's eyes, which were like black mud, tears fell like pearls from a broken string. She was crying silently.

I want to help Her Majesty. I desperately want her not to be like this. Locusta racked her brain, thinking about what she could do right now. Her conclusion was that it was best to let her cry her heart out alone. She might have said the wrong thing.

"...Heh."

Nero suddenly let out a small laugh and then slightly moved her lips. It looked as if she was saying 'I'm sorry, thank you,' but Locusta had no concrete proof.

"You may go out. I'm a little tired..."

She suppressed her sobs, which she tried not to let out, and there was no sign of them stopping.

"Yes, alright..."

After Locusta left, the girl's sobs instantly intensified, piercing through the thick, dark clouds and reaching the distant sky, dissipating into the atmosphere.