Lucius

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Lucius Longinus (路修斯)
Alias(es)	Scarlet — “the summons of bright red,” a codename tied to Rome’s martial red 7
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Roman Empire; Christianity / Holy Church 6 33
Occupation/Role	Roman centurion; Governor of Britain; spear instructor; leader of the Praetorian Guard 8 9 30 33
First Appearance	Meets Novia aboard a fishing boat 5

Background / History

Lucius was a Roman centurion associated with the events at Jerusalem and the Spear of Longinus, which was stained with holy blood. He suffered the recurring Biting Pain, understood as punishment for piercing Jesus’s side, and retained a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek as a reminder of his sins. Jesus’s blood later restored his eyesight after he had been blinded during a battle. 5 6 9 33

Before meeting Novia, Lucius had been involved with a Druid Priestess. Their battlefield relationship was mutually exploitative, but her execution left him scarred; the injury later caused the blindness that led to his defeat in battle. 9 33

Lucius first encountered Novia while posing as a fisherman and concealing their boat with magecraft. Though wary of the youth, he agreed to follow him after Novia recognized the Biting Pain and promised him a path to atonement. 5 6 During the following year, he traveled with Novia, instructed him in spear combat, and repeatedly warned him about the danger posed by Rome’s political and religious powers. 6 8

At Novia’s request, Emperor Claudius appointed Lucius Governor of newly conquered Britain rather than Anatolia. He governed without exploiting the local population, trained alongside his soldiers, and independently excavated beneath Londinium for the remains of the Dragon of Albion. 9 15

Lucius located the Dragon’s corpse, sealed the excavation site with the Spear of Longinus, and informed Novia. He later became leader of the Praetorian Guard, where he imposed Christian discipline and personally accepted challenges from dissenting guardsmen until most followed him willingly. 15 30 33

Appearance

Lucius is a Roman soldier marked by the physical reminders of his past and his faith.

• A twisted, cross-shaped scar runs across his left cheek. 5 6
• Wears a scarlet cloak when acting in his capacity as a Roman soldier; the color represents Rome and Mars. 7
• Carries an iron spear in ordinary combat and keeps the Spear of Longinus in reserve. 7 8
• His eyes were restored through Jesus’s sacred blood. 15

Personality

Lucius is calm, stern, and habitually vigilant. He initially tests strangers rather than trusting them, but once he accepts someone, he is deeply dependable. His blunt warnings to Novia stem from genuine concern that the younger man will be destroyed by Rome’s enemies. 6 8 9

He treats suffering as a form of repentance. Rather than wishing to erase the Biting Pain, Lucius once considered it the only answer he could offer for his sin; he deliberately kept his facial scar for the same reason. 6 Novia’s aid does not change his sense of responsibility, but strengthens his gratitude and commitment to completing every task entrusted to him. 15 16

Abilities & Skills

Spear Combat

Lucius is an elite close-quarters combatant whose spear techniques later become part of Novia’s martial foundation.

• Taught Novia spear techniques and close-combat methods for a year. 7 8
• Was considered strong enough that a fully prepared fight with Novia would likely have ended in a draw during their first meeting. 6
• Continued to spar with Novia even after Novia’s growth made him an equal or possible superior in combat. 8
• Leads from the front in military training, helping make the Britannic Legion one of Rome’s strongest legions. 15 30

Spear of Longinus

Lucius possesses the sacred spear stained with the Son of God’s blood.

• He does not ordinarily draw it, preserving it as a weapon of last resort. 8
• Offered it to Novia out of gratitude, but Novia refused and told him to retain it for self-defense. 15
• Used it to seal the Dragon of Albion excavation site and cloak the area from even Mystic Eyes. 15

Magecraft and Fieldcraft

Lucius can operate in an age where Mysteries remain widespread and has practical experience against hostile magi and Druids.

• Participated in concealing a fishing boat with magecraft to avoid detection by Roman magi at the Bosphorus Strait. 5 6
• Identified the need to conceal the Londinium excavation and secured it after uncovering the Dragon’s remains. 9 15
• Uses direct personal challenges to establish authority over the Praetorian Guard. 33

Endurance and Biting Pain

Lucius endures a divine punishment that once recurred every night until dawn.

• The Biting Pain is linked to his role in wounding Jesus and was central to his view of personal atonement. 6
• A drop of water given by Novia reduced the pain from what Lucius described in effect as a ten to a one. 13 15
• He can function on roughly three hours of sleep per day while conducting prolonged excavation work. 15

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Spear of Longinus — Sacred spear stained with holy blood; capable of sealing and concealing a dangerous site. 6 15
• Iron spear — His standard combat weapon. 7
• Greatshield — A defensive weapon he considered drawing during his first clash with Novia. 5
• Scarlet cloak — Roman military attire associated with his codename, Scarlet. 7

Relationships

• Novia — Ally, beneficiary, and later subordinate. Novia recognizes Lucius’s pain, reduces it with a drop of water, appoints him Governor of Britain, and relies on him to uncover Albion’s remains and reform the Praetorian Guard. Lucius teaches Novia spear techniques and remains fiercely concerned for his safety. 6 8 9 15 33
• Jesus — Lucius’s past is inseparable from Jesus: he wounded him with the sacred spear, suffered the Biting Pain, and later had his eyesight restored through Jesus’s blood. 5 6 33
• Druid Priestess — A former battlefield partner and lover. Her execution left Lucius with the facial scar connected to his later blindness and military defeat. 9 33
• Shiyali — Works alongside Lucius in Britain during the investigation and refinement of the Dragon of Albion’s remains; Lucius also serves as a point of contact when she seeks Novia. 15 16 33 34

Notable Quotes

“It’s just a name. They’re all the same.” 6

“Then, do your best, Lord Novia.” 16

Trivia

• Lucius’s “Scarlet” codename refers to Rome’s red, the color associated with Mars and Roman soldiers. 7
• Although he served as only a centurion before Novia’s intervention, he was elevated directly to govern Britain. 9
• His refusal to erase his scar reflects his belief that pain and remorse should not be forgotten. 6