Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 247: [] The Flower of Rome

Many soldiers in the camp, including prisoners and surrendering troops, witnessed a peculiar scene.

The white-haired governor who had led them, flawlessly commanding the assault that seized the enemy's stronghold, was now averting his gaze, looking surprisingly docile. Meanwhile, their emperor—a petite blonde girl—was staring up at him in an almost aggressive posture, nearly pressing herself against him. Her emerald-green eyes were filled with curiosity.

"So, what exactly does that child mean by 'digging a hole'?"

"...Your Majesty must have misheard."

"Hmph! Though I've been getting more frequent headaches lately, I'm not foolish enough to mishear something! So—tell me, Governor!"

By the end, Nero had outright clung to Sakatsuki's arm, pouting coquettishly.

Her face, rivaling the beauty of the goddess Venus, inched closer. Her bold attire seemed to radiate a sultry heat. A single glance at the cleavage before him made Sakatsuki instinctively avert his eyes, only for the translucent hem of her dress to come into view instead.

It was both agony and pleasure.

From Nero's perspective, she probably just thought this approach would make Sakatsuki give in more easily.

But to the onlookers, this was nothing less than a sign that the Roman Emperor had feelings for their commander.

A group of rough, battle-hardened soldiers, stifled from their time in the barracks, exchanged glances and let out knowing chuckles.

After all, only one reason could justify the emperor leaving the central command, despite her endless duties, to come all the way to Pisa. And only one reason could explain why this noble rose of Rome would so brazenly throw herself into the arms of another, pouting and acting spoiled in front of everyone.

Even Sakatsuki couldn't help but entertain one of the "Three Great Illusions of Life." But, knowing Nero's personality, he ultimately suppressed the slight stir in his heart and responded calmly.

"I refuse. This is a matter for the military to handle. As emperor, you need only sit upon your throne. I will lead the troops to battle and secure victory for you. The hardships of war—its cold winds and bitter frosts—are not things you should be exposed to."

"Hmph—!"

Nero pouted, her crimson lips forming a clear expression of dissatisfaction.

"I command you to tell me the answer to this question!"

At her words, Sakatsuki instinctively glanced at the back of Nero's hand, only to find that the Command Spells were still intact.

Would something like this not be enough to provoke her (Master) into using a Command Spell?

Yet outright refusal was not an option either. He couldn't let Nero develop the habit of thinking that even direct orders had no effect.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Sakatsuki let out what seemed to be a helpless sigh and finally spoke:

"It's for burying the dead, Your Majesty."

There is no battle without casualties. And corpses cannot simply be discarded. The victorious side usually gives their own fallen soldiers proper graves so that their comrades may rest in peace.

As for the enemy's bodies, they aren't afforded such courtesy. They're typically buried in mass graves—digging holes is just the natural course of action.

"I see..." Nero could tell he was telling the truth, yet she still felt something was off. After a moment of thought, she decisively chose to forget about it.

All she had wanted was an attitude from him, and now that Sakatsuki had answered, she had no need to press further.

Meanwhile, Sakatsuki's gaze flickered slightly, still avoiding Nero's warm and exuberant eyes.

Burying the dead was indeed part of it. But was the digging truly for those already deceased? Or was it preparation for the instruments of execution for those yet to die?

The truth remained buried beneath an iceberg within Sakatsuki's heart.

"Alright, Your Majesty, I've answered your question. Now, please return to your tent and rest."

"Legate, am I not the emperor? Isn't it my freedom to go wherever I please?" The more Sakatsuki insisted she leave, the more Nero refused to comply. "And these people—are they the pitiful fools who opposed us and lost?"

The white-haired youth narrowed his eyes, utterly helpless before this willful emperor. "Yes, they are the ones who swore loyalty unto death to the Roman United Empire."

"Hmm... So they are all men of loyalty and righteousness," Nero mused.

"...Wait, you're not thinking of pardoning them, are you?" Detecting something off in her tone, Sakatsuki immediately grasped the possibility.

Nero tilted her head and looked up at Sakatsuki in confusion. "Hmm? And why not? Rome should embrace all, accept all!"

She was serious. Both history and Rome itself bore witness to this truth.

Among the many ancient civilizations—Babylon, Egypt, India, even China—exclusivity and xenophobia had manifested to varying degrees.

Only Rome, despite the presence of slavery, treated all Roman citizens equally, regardless of ethnicity or faith.

Even Emperor Macrinus, who once sat upon the Roman throne, was a Nubian from the province of Africa.

In the vast river of history, it would be difficult to find another civilization as open and inclusive as Rome. The phrase "All roads lead to Rome" was more than a mere saying—if one was willing to become Roman, then one was Roman.

Yet in this matter, Sakatsuki could not agree with Nero's ideals.

"Your Majesty, where does this inclusivity of yours come from?" The white-haired youth called out to the emperor, his blood-red eyes harboring emotions unknown to others. "And what will you use to accept all of this?"

"That is the resentment of the slain enemies, the grief of fallen comrades, and the endless cycle of hatred and vengeance."

"Are you truly prepared to bear all of it?"

To forgive these soldiers was to absolve them of their past sins. It meant that the soldiers under Sakatsuki's command would lose their targets for revenge. Their comrades' sacrifices would become irreversible, their blood unable to be honored through retribution.

Would the people accept this?

The warriors who lost their limbs in battle, the soldiers who lost their comrades in combat, the citizens who lost their families in the flames of war—

Would they choose forgiveness, just as Nero did?

"What are you saying, Legate?" Nero widened her eyes in surprise at his questioning and responded as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Of course, it's because of love! I love Rome with all my heart and soul, every blade of grass and every stone. And I love anyone who wishes to become part of Rome!"

Like a blooming rose, the beautiful emperor declared with a radiant smile.

Love?

"..." The white-haired youth found himself at a complete loss for words.

And seeing Sakatsuki rendered speechless, Nero puffed out her chest like a victorious general and stepped forward in his place.

Though her figure was small, no one present could avert their eyes from her presence.

"I am Emperor Nero Claudius! You are granted the privilege to hear my decree!"

...I absolutely refuse to acknowledge that the Flower of Rome is that fat old Caesar.

***

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