Original Archive of Our Own Posting Date: October 19th, 2020

Alive.

That was certainly the first word that came into my mind as we passed through the gatehouse and took our first steps into the ancient city of Rome. Men, women, and children of all ages were walking and running about. Shopkeepers called out to their fellow Romans, pitching their lines about having the finest or rarest wares in the city, be it clothing, food, or other items. A sense of normality seemed to pervade in the atmosphere all around us as Nero's soldiers dispersed in various directions, soon leaving us alone with the Emperor of Roses.

Even if only for the moment, I could feel my spirits rise. It was truly a welcome relief to see a city acting like, well, a city, especially after the constant and consistent sights of death and destruction in towns like La Charité and Lyon, when we were in France, or the burning city of Fuyuki back in Singularity F. Turning my head slightly, I could see that I wasn't the only one in our party taken in by the sights and sounds all around us.

Marie's eyes were bright, gleaming with awe and excitement as she swivels her head so rapidly it was a wonder that she couldn't turn it a full 360 degrees. This must feel almost divine for the Flower of Versailles, who had told Ritsuka and I that she was always eager to learn and experience new things. Next to her, Jeanne's expression bordered that of dumbstruck, a reminder of her humble childhood. I couldn't help but wonder how she would react if she ever got the chance to visit on of the major cities back home in America, like New York, or Las Vegas.

Nero's chest was puffed out, hands on her hips as she watched our various reactions with a pleased glint in her green eyes. "Umu! Take a good look and be struck with awe!" Nero proclaimed, and I couldn't find myself to find her boasting to be unnecessary, both as her status as the ruler of these lands and as a source of pride for the Roman. "This is my city, a glorious regime that even young girls extol!"

Next to her, Ritsuka nodded his head in agreement. "The city does seem incredibly vibrant!" My fellow Master gushed, wide-eyed, with an equally awe-struck Mash nodding in agreement with her Master. Nero laughed softly as she wove a hand slightly.

"Yes, yes, didn't I tell you? After all, this is the greatest city in the world!" Nero declared, and again, in her defense, she wasn't wrong. Granted, she didn't know what the cities in the far east were like, so as far as she knew, this was the unassailable truth. Nero motioned towards us to follow her, and we did so, listening to the petite blonde all the while. "First, there was Septem Montes—such words exist like so," Nero said, mentioning the seven hills around Rome. "And that's where it all started. Our glorious history began with out ancestors and those hills." And murder and death. A lot of murder and death. Suddenly, Nero came to a stop, looking eagerly at a stall that was selling apples and other fresh fruit. "And—hey, shopkeeper, I'm taking one of these apples."

I blinked at her actions, and the owner looked up suddenly, a standard-looking smile on the elderly-looking man's face. "Welcome to my…" the man began to say before realizing who he was addressing. His eyes almost bugled out of their sockets as his jaw dropped down, and he bowed slightly. "Oh! Your Majesty! Please, take as you wish. Glory to the Emperor and Rome!" Nero smiled affectionately as the man stood back up, though standing a bit stiffly if I was honest.

"Shopkeeper, you don't have to be so stiff," she said gently as she grabbed a bright red apple and took a delicate bite out of it. Swallowing, she nodded in approval. "Yes, yes, this is a delicious apple," she said, turning to Mash. "Why don't you take one too? We're returning from war, so no need to worry about bad manners. Sweet fruit does wonder for battle fatigue. My wounds won't be healed by it, but my motivation will!" Nero said cheerfully before taking another bite from the apple she held. The Demi-Servant shook her head slightly.

"Oh, no thank you," she politely declined the offer. "But I appreciate the gesture," she added with an equally-polite smile. Nero nodded, before looking at Ritsuka.

"Then how about that man over there?" She asked, picking up a second apple and holding it out to my fellow Master. "They're delicious, don't be shy." Ritsuka gingerly took the apple before biting into it, a satisfied look emerging on his face as he chewed.

"Thank you," he said after swallowing, while Nero finished off her apple. Nero's attention must have been focused on my fellow Master, as she had barely taken any notice of me. In all honesty, considering how I was feeling, I was fine with that.

"Ah, that was a wonderful apple. Umu. Once again, I must say that I like you. While I don't know of this 'Chaldea' that you have spoken of, I cant ell that you are all good and honest people," she said. Mash's commlink chimed at that moment, and the Demi-Servant activated it, allowing Doctor Roman to address our erstwhile ally.

"It's a relief to hear you say that, Emperor Nero. It might be the best for you to think of us as simply a mage and his pupils." His very many pupils, then. Nero hummed in thought before nodding.

"Is that so? Then let's forget this confusing talk of Masters and Servants. You are the mage's pupils, and the mage speaks from a distant land." I found it rather interesting that the blonde was taking this so nonchalantly. Then again, this was closer to the times where magecraft and mages were things that everyday people could witness without even batting an eye. Rather convenient then, to say the least. "You also said your goal is to aid me?" Nero asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Yes," Mash nodded. "That is a rather accurate way of stating things."

"The center of the world, and the world itself," Doctor Roman chimed in, excitement oozing through the connection between us as he began to speak faster. "The name of the greatest empire that rules the world is Rome. In this era, there should be no threat to this city. The Grail's influence must be upsetting events. If I am right, this era's singularity is probably the existence of the great Roman Empire. An empire that greatly influenced later generations. Stopping its destruction would fix the singularity."

While well-intentioned, it was clear that the doctor's words had confused Nero. Hell, I felt a little lost myself, and also finding myself wondering if Doctor Roman should have been a college professor considering the wealth of knowledge and passion he had shown.

"Mm…S-Sorry," Nero finally said, her cheeks slightly flushed as she scratched the back of her head, her confidant persona cracking for just a second. "I don't quite understand. Please speak a bit more in my range of understanding," Nero requested, and we could hear Roman's awkward laughter as Mash shook her head patiently, sighing.

"Sorry, he can be a bit too theoretical. I'll explain. We seek something called the Holy Grail, a magical item with special powers. It's causing a great many disturbances just by being here. There is a very strong possibility that the Grail is the true problem that is eating away at Rome." Nero hummed again once Mash fell silent, a deep, contemplative look oner her features before she looked at us sternly.

"I see. This Holy Grail is damaging my Rome."

"Yes. It must sound astounding to you…" Mash began to say before Nero cuts her off with, shaking her head once.

"No, neither strange nor weird. This Holy Grail. It strangely…worries me," Nero said softly, before shaking her head again. "Never mind, a needless concern of mine. It's just a nightmare I had once. Right, come with me. We can talk freely and in-depth about this in my home," Nero said, before a loud clamor had us looking further into the market place we had stopped in. "Wait, what? Is there something wrong here?" Nero asked.

"H-Hey! What's this?! What are you people doing to my shop?!" Another elderly-looking man was crying out in despair as a half-dozen roughly-dressed began ransacking the area. Other vendors were gathering their stuff frantically, wishing to avoid being robbed or otherwise terrorized next. Nero's eyes narrowed, her brow furrowed as she trembled slightly in indignant rage.

"How dare they do this to my Rome! To my people! Are they enemy spies? Either way, it's unforgivable!" She roared, drawing her sword. She sounded rather murderous, though it was in the interest of protecting her people. However, it was too soon to witness more killing, at least if you asked me. Thinking rapidly, I walked over to the Emperor of Roses, bowing my head slightly as I hear Mordred following close behind.

"I beg your pardon, Emperor Nero, but I humbly request that you allow for my knight and I to deal with these ruffians," I asked politely. Surprised yet pleased, Nero nodded, and that was all I needed as I turned to Mordred. "Don't use your sword. There's no need for any more death today," I said grimly. The Knight of Treachery nodded, and then she cracked her knuckles. Behind us, I could hear Nero addressing the others.

"Young man, I wish to inquire if you know what your dour-looking companion has in mind?"

"Just wait and see."

One of the bandits noticed our approach, and shook their apparent boss by the shoulder, pointing towards us.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. Now we've got the pleasantries out of the way, please leave the market. You're causing a scene," I said in a rather genial, though forced, tone, a disarming smile on my lips. The half-dozen ruffians all looked at one another in disbelief, then back at me.

"Go fuck yourself," the leader spat at my feet. I could feel Mordred stiffen next to me, but I nudged her, shaking my head subtly. Not yet.

"Quite an elegant response, truly," I drawled. "Okay, then let's cut to the chase. You lot will be leaving this street. It's been a long and tiring day for my friends and I, and I have no interest in playing nice to a bunch of thugs. So, you can either leave here voluntarily, or you can be dragged out of here, and to a jail cell. The choice is yours," I said, crossing my arms defiantly. I kept my body loose, though I am still ready to lash out.

The six men exchanged incredulous looks at one another before the leader glared at me before suddenly charging forward. I allowed him to approach within striking distance before I suddenly deliver a firm roundhouse kick to the base of his jaw. A loud crunching noise could be heard, along with a cry of pain, as my boot-clad foot smashed the joint of his jaw.

Dropping his weapon, the thug fell onto his knees, clutching his jaw. I calmly looked at the other five men. "I guess you lot want to go with the second option, huh?" I said dryly, sighing in disappointment as they looked at one another, anger now in their eyes.

"Get 'em!" A skinny man with scars on his cheeks said, and the rest of the gang surged forward, just as Mordred positioned herself in front of me protectively. The first fist to be thrown at her is caught with her armored left hand, causing the owner to stare incredulously at the Saber's helmet, before she forces the back of his fist to contact with the bridge of his nose, breaking it. A 'gentle' kick to the chest sent the injured man flying backwards, slamming into the leader, and leaving the two sprawled on the ground.

A third man wielding a club tries to slam said weapon into the side of Mordred's head, but the Knight of Rebellion scoffs loudly as she blocked it with the vambrace on her right arm, before driving her left fist into his gut, bending the man over as a stream of spittle flew past his lips.

I wasn't able to see anything else, as the fourth and fifth men tried to rush me from either side. Activating my Magic Circuits, I simply close my eyes and throw my hands out to either side, focusing on the moisture between the three of us, before imagining them expanding to one another and solidifying. I open my eyes as I hear two loud yelps of surprise and alarm, seeing that I had succeeded in coating the feet of both thugs in ice.

"Not bad, Master," Mordred said, as she walked over and grabbed the two flailing ruffians, before slamming their heads together, knocking them out. At that moment, a dozen or so lightly-armored men began to surround us, members of the Roman police, or whatever they called it, as they began carrying away the six bandits, and we walked back over to the others.

Nero beamed at Mordred and I, clearly pleased at our display. Honestly, it felt good to be in a fight against someone and not kill them.

"Umu! That was a most impressive display! You have my thanks in protecting my people. Come, let's return to my residence!"

Nero's residence was truly a sight to behold. Regal, elegant, expensive. These words and more echoed in my mind when I first laid eyes on it. It wasn't her infamous 'golden house', but it was no less fitting for an emperor. Said emperor guided us to the central room, which appeared to have originally been used as both a dining room and what we would now call a living room. In addition, however, it seems to have gained a new role, if only temporary: a war room.

"Now then," Nero said, settling down in a regal-looking chair at the head of the table we were around. Over it was a map of the Roman Empire. The blonde ruler gestured for us to also sit around the table, and thankfully, there were just enough chairs for us to do so. To Nero's right sat Ritsuka, and I next to him. Mash sat on Nero's left, with Mordred across from me, finally retracting her helmet, and allowing for me to see her gazing at me intently. I shook my head slightly, reminding her that we will talk tonight, and then gazed at a most serious-looking Nero.

"My Rome is currently endangered. My great empire's territories are now, vexingly enough, ripped apart and scattered all over," she said as she gestured at the map. Looking at it, I noticed that there were a number of circular wooden pieces, bearing one of two symbols on the top. One of them was the famous S.P.Q.R, Senātus Populusque Rōmānus, nestled between two golden wreathes on in a red field. Those pieces must have represented Nero's forces, and were focused mainly on the lower half of Gaul and most of the Italian Peninsula. Of the North African and Hispaniola, the pieces there bore three poorly-drawn golden eagles against an imperial purple field. "On one hand, there is the true Roman Empire, that I rule over. The area centered around this capital, Rome. On the other hand, there is an alliance controlled by multiple so-called 'emperors', who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They declared themselves to be the 'United Roman Empire', when they stole half of my empire," Nero said angrily, jabbing a finger at the pieces that weren't hers.

"What can you tell us about them?" I asked softly, my eyes studying the map. Nero sighed in frustration.

"The United Roman Empire is, sadly, a mystery to us still. No matter how many scouts I have sent, no matter how skilled they were, none have returned. Even the location of the capital where these fake emperors gather is unknown to us," the Emperor of Roses admitted. Mash tilted her head slightly in curiosity as she looked at our host.

"Multiple emperors, you say?" She asked.

"Imposters, actually. In my eyes, they're just a group of treacherous bandits, and…" Nero paused, looking unsure of herself, before she shook her head. "No, it's not worth mentioning. Just rebels spreading their vicious lies." Was she trying to convince us that whatever she was hiding were lies, or herself? "Like I said, they call themselves emperors, when they are nothing but pretenders."

"You looked trouble," Ritsuka interjected. I said nothing as Mash shot my fellow Master a warning look.

"Senpai…" She began to say when Nero raised her hand, cutting off the Demi-Servant once more. Mash, demure and polite as always, didn't even appeared bothered by this treatment. The blonde Roman stared intently at Ritsuka.

"No, it's fine. You saw one of them before. Caligula, the enemy general. The man who singlehandedly slaughtered most of my forces before you arrived. He's one of the traitors who call themselves 'emperors', as well as being my uncle," she finished, the same troubled expression on her face as when we had faced off against the enemy Berserker.

"Shouldn't he be dead already?" Roman suddenly asked, Mash having left on her commlink.

"Yes, dear formless mage. That is correct," Nero said solemnly. "Even our Court Mage was killed by Uncle Caligula and his conspirators. If he was still alive, I am sure the two of you would have gotten along. He boasted about how he had overcome death." Mordred snorted at the irony in that statement, and Nero frowned at the interruption. "In truth, he did show me some impressive spells. And yet, he was killed by the blade of one of these 'emperors'. A master of spells who shouldn't have died, and yet dead he is now. Slain almost effortlessly," Nero said bitterly, a mournful look in her eyes.

"To easily beat a mage of this era," Doctor Roman began to say, sounding immensely troubled by this news. "That's no ordinary human. It's a Servant," Roman added, rather unnecessarily, seeing as how we had already established the fact that, but I held my tongue.

"That must be causing the historical anomaly," Mash instead said. "One of these 'emperors' must have gotten ahold of the Grail."

"It is highly likely that is the cause of this era's singularity," Roman responded in agreement.

"Honestly, the United Empire is very strong. Violent battles are occurring all over, and in the meantime, the people suffer. I've dispatched all my serving viceroys and generals. I have thrown nearly every soldier I can at them, and yet, and yet, their power has remained undiminished. Recently, an expeditionary force of theirs pressed in on the city, even managing to get inside briefly. I was barely able to drive them out with the few troops I had on hand. I hate to say it, but it showed me that this situation is beyond my ability to destroy on my own," Nero paused, and chewed on her lower lip for a second, before looking at Ritsuka, then myself, with new-found interest. She straightened up, resuming her air of nobility, speaking not as a lady, but as the voice of Rome.

"Therefore, I order. No, I implore you! Become my generals! Then, Rome and I shall assist you in obtaining the Grail!" A generous-sounding offer. It was not unlike the partnership we had originally formed with Jeanne when we first ran into her. I hummed softly, looking at Ritsuka, who was looking back at me. I nodded at him my consent before looking at Mordred, silently asking if she had anything against the idea. She merely shrugged in boredom while Doctor Roman continued talking.

"Such a heaven-sent proposal!" The acting-director proclaimed excitedly. "It seems we have a common cause." Mash nodded, looking across the table at her Master.

"That's right. What do you think, Senpai?" Having already signaled my approval of the idea, Ritsuka grinned excitedly at Nero.

"Do we get a salary?" The urge to stomp on his foot was strong, though I appreciated his attempt at levity. To my mild surprise, Nero nodded solemnly.

"Of course. As soon as the United Empire is beaten, I shall give you what you desire," She promised. So, in other words, we will be gone before we get anything. Eh, no biggie. "I shall grant you, Ritsuka, the title of viceroy, and your dour-faced companion" Alright, that title was starting to become annoying. "the rank of praetor, as well as reward the work you all have already done. Rest well tonight. I shall prepare quarters suitable for your ranks and for your entourages. Oh, yes! Will the invisible mage require one as well?" She asked.

"Don't worry about me," Doctor Roman replied in a thankful tone. "Supplying rooms for the others will be enough." He paused before speaking again. "By the way, Your Majesty, have you by any chance heard of the name, Lev Lainur?" Amongst the older members of our Chaldean team, the air grew tense. I instinctively gripped a section of the table, squeezing it tightly as my knuckles went white at the mention of that blasted traitor.

"Lev?" Nero repeated, unaware of my reaction, it seems. "No, I haven't. Who is he?"

"A treacherous piece of scum," I said, trying not to hiss or shout as the numbness from before burned away, to be replaced by the grip of white-hot wrath.

"He is a mage of our era, who betrayed Chaldea and all of humanity. He seeks to destroy both," Mash supplied helpfully as I forced myself to relax. "There's a chance that he is in this era. Although, I don't know if he has revealed himself, or taken any action," the Demi-Servant added. Nero stroked her chin, looking deep in thought.

"A mage from a foreign land? Hmmm," Nero hummed softly before finally looking at us. "It's only a rumor, but someone says they saw a foreign-looking mage on the frontlines only a few days ago."

"It's possible," Roman said, hesitantly. "Your Majesty, I have a request," he asked humbly.

"Speak."

"I'd like for my pupils to be deployed as close as possible to the frontlines." The doctor's words had Nero titling her head slightly.

"I don't mind, but, will Jacob and Ritsuka be okay?" Mordred opened her mouth, probably to either tell the petite blonde to stuff it or something, before Mash interjected once more. Apparently, she was our other diplomat for the day, and a pretty damn good one to boot.

"Yes," she said politely, though there was a clear sense of firmness underneath. "Lev Lainur is our enemy."

"We owe him some payback," Ritsuka added, displaying a rare scowl. My own was already on display as I stared firmly at the now-silent Nero.

"Director Animusphere will be avenged," I growled. Nero looked intrigued by our reactions, before nodding.

"Very well, then. Nero Claudius will honor your request. I shall pray to the gods and the divine ancestors of Rome that your enemy will be defeated." She then gives us a wide smile, standing up. "But first, a feast before you rest! While it might not be as grand as usual due to the war, it will still be a feast where I shall spare no efforts. Viceroy, Praetor, Mash, do you drink? We have something imported from the Orient!" The Emperor of Roses said excitedly, bouncing on the backs of her sabaton/high-heels. Mash blink, wide-eyed at the energy that was reminding me of Marie, who herself was staring excitedly at her fellow ruler.

Well, looks like the Rider is going to get along just fine with our hostess, it seems.

"Oh, uh, no, I don't drink, thanks," Mash said, while Ritsuka shook his own head. Nero stared inquisitively at me, and I too shook my head.

"The food will be more than enough, Your Majesty. If we have to fight tomorrow, I will need a clear head," I said, bowing my head slightly at my erstwhile boss. Huh….now I have two temporary bosses. Strange.

Still, the vibrant blonde began to summon servants, the ordinary kind mind you, and I sat back in my chair, half-listening to the various conversations as we waited for our meal.

The food we had been served had been most impressive, even if most of it tasted a bit like ash. Still, I felt full, and grateful to Nero. Annoying though she might be at times, she was quickly shaping up to be one hell of an ally.

I leaned back against the chair provided in the rather extravagant guest room I had been given. For all of her flaws, Nero had been rather generous, and helpful, since we first met her. She also hadn't shown to be cruel or indifferent as most depictions of Nero do, though perhaps that could still be the case, seeing as how we weren't in the final years of her reign.

I shook my head and tossed my cap onto the desk in front of me, though it was certainly nothing like the desks back home. It was a rather simple flat, table design, though made of richly-colored wood. Sighing, I run my right hand through my shaggy hair, idly wondering if I should consider trying to cut it myself, or maybe turn it into a ponytail. It was certainty getting long enough, and if Mordred could do both of those things growing up, surely I can too, right?

The thought brings a brief, tiny smile to my lips, though that soon fades, to be replaced by glazed-over eyes and a blood-stained mouth.

I had killed a man today. While it wasn't in cold-blood, nor had it been a defenseless or innocent man, the fact that I had committed what many considered to be one of the most heinous of actions still remains. Or, is it the fact that I will undoubtedly have to enact that very deed again that is the cause of my gloom?

We had been lucky back in Orléans and Fuyuki, in that our opponents had been either monsters, undead, or Servants. Creatures that were evil, and that needed to be killed. Spirits given physical form once again, and who didn't truly die when defeated. That was what we had been dealing with.

Now, though, we had to deal with fighting members of our own species. God, this was a mess amidst a mess! I shake my head, trying to escape the mental rabbit hole I was skirting besides, when I hear a knock on the door.

"Come in," Is aid softly, turning around to see Mordred walking in with her own arms crossed, for some reason out of her armor. Eh, Mordred does as Mordred wants. She gazed at me in concern and determination, frowning slightly, before speaking.

"Alright, Master, ready to talk?"

Original A/N:And done! Hope it isn't too bad a cliffhanger! What did you guys think? I am a bit worried I am over-stressing the trauma part for Jacob, but after next chapter it won't be as huge a focus considering that Mordred is going to do her best, awkward though it might be, to comfort her ally. Random fact, my adopted sister had suggested that I should have a comfort sex scene for this, but obviously that isn't happening lol. But hey, at least it is a good point to further the romance, right? Also, as a sneak peak, the next chapter is going to either be mostly, if not completely solely, focused from Mordred's point of view. Of course, a small part of me is freaking out over writing it, haha. I'm sure it will be fine, and if it is a little OOC feeling, I'm sure you guys won't crucify me or anything...right?

Also, I will be skipping the Mount Etna subplot section, because honestly it is an awkward scene to fit in with how I want to write this singularity. Thankfully, nothing really important happens, so all's good and all. As mentioned earlier, Ritsuka is going to be the one who interacts with Nero more, so what do you think of his performance so far? Also, will anyone get the movie reference I hid in here? :)

Question of the day:If Nero as a Servant faced off against Mordred in a death battle, who do you think would win and why?

I am really touched by how much this story has been given love by you, the readers. This has officially become the longest story I have ever written, and so it is wonderful and all, ya know? Thanks for reading and also sticking by the story so far, and I eagerly await y'alls feedback. Have a wonderful day, and see you in the next chapter