A/N: Story can be read on Archive of Our Own, please read end A/N
When I awoke, I felt refreshed. At ease. My dreams had been non-existent, just a comforting embrace of darkness. No visions of the past, no bloodied ghosts like in books or movies, nothing. I look out the window, yawning slightly as I blink a few times to chase away the last of my sleepiness.
The sun was shining through the window, though the rays weren't really all that bright just yet, signaling it was probably around 8 or 9 in the morning. A decent-enough time to wake up, I suppose. Remembering the basin of water in the corner of the room, I walked over to it, taking off my undershirt so as to avoid drenching the black fabric.
I cup my hands slightly and bend forward, splashing cool water against my face, once, twice, thrice. I sigh softly in relief, feeling the last vestiges of drowsiness being driven away from my eyes. I paused for a few minutes, lightly gripping the bowl as water droplets run down my face onto my chest and back, before taking one last scoop of water in my hands and throwing it against my face.
"Ah, much better," I mutter, pleased as I straighten up and use the nearby square of soft linen also provided to dry myself off.
There was a knock on my door. "Come in," I said, curious to see who it was.
"Good morning, Mas—Jacob," Mordred walked in as she quickly corrected herself before I could raise my eyebrow pointedly at her. Instead, I settle on a small smile. For the briefest moment, I could have sworn that her cheeks had flushed slightly, but when I blink, they are her typical pale color. I mentally shrug and pull the shirt back over my head. Must have imagined it, then.
"Good morning, Mordred," I replied, leaning against the side of the stand holding the water basin. "Sleep well?" Mordred shrugged lazily.
"Yeah, the bed was nice. Apparently, they also have a personal bath with heated water," Mordred added, sounding a bit more excited about that. Huh, interesting. I guess that is what the door to the side of the room I was given was for. It would also explain her slightly damp hair, too. Her lovely (there's that word again!) emerald eyes glistened with contentment.
"Glad to see that you're enjoying yourself this morning," I chuckled softly, and Mordred raised a fine blonde eyebrow at my words. "Before you ask, yes, I also slept well. So, do you know where the others are?" I asked, quickly changing the topic.
"They're in the main hall with the pipsqueak blondie, having breakfast. I wanted to see if you were up before getting some for myself," Mordred said, rocking slightly on the back of her feet, a hungry gleam in her yes. I release a sound that is a mixture of a sigh and laughter.
"Well, then let's get some food, then, shall we?"
"That's the spirit!" Mordred said with a smirk as I put on and buttoned up the white dress shirt part of my uniform. I chuckled again.
"Just one thing, Mordred."
"Yes, Jacob?"
"Try not to devour everything in sight."
"Ah, good morning Praetor!" Nero greeted us exuberantly from her chair at the head of the table as we entered the main area of her residence. For the second day in the row, Mordred and I were the last two members of our merry band to show up. True to the words of the Knight of Rebellion, there was food. Unlike the feast, which for all that Nero had claimed it being somewhat lackluster under the circumstance but I personally found to still be extravagant, the food was rather simple: a variety of everyday staple food like bread, cheese, olives, and other similar food that required very little preparation. As we sat down in the same seats Mordred and I had used the previous evening, the Emperor of Roses stared at me expectantly. "Did you find your accommodations to your liking?" She asked. I nodded, bowing my head slightly.
"Yes, it was most comfortable. Thank you again for your generosity, Imperator," I said in a humble tone, making sure to use the ancient Latin title. It was a good call, it seems, for Nero's already blinding smile somehow managed to intensify.
"Umu! Yes, it is to be as expected," she replied, closing her eyes and therefore missing Mordred rolling her own
Once breakfast had been finished, and Nero had dismissed the handful of servants as they took away the plates and leftovers, a more serious atmosphere filled the room. "Now, then, to business," Nero proclaimed, waiting only for a moment for her 'Viceroy' and 'Praetor' to reply. "I know you all have only just arrived, but I am thinking of launching an expedition into Gaul. The purpose for it will be two-fold: To aid and to give encouragement to my faithful subordinates that I have left in charge of the defenses in that region. Obviously, I will be leading it, otherwise what point is there in doing so," Nero explained, before looking at Mash and Ritsuka with a shrewd look.
"Will you join me on this trip, though?" She asked, the question for both Ritsuka, Mash, and I, but mainly directed at the first two.
As I had observed earlier, it seems that Rits has made an impression on her, and so seems to focus more on him. The Japanese magus looks over at me, for the briefest moments a look of hesitation on his face as Mash nodded slowly to him. I do the same, and Ritsuka relaxes, looking back at Nero with confidence.
"It will be an honor," my fellow Master responded with a smile. Nero nods in a mixture of pleasure and approval, clasping her hands together.
"Excellent! Your words are most pleasing! It is decided, then!" She exclaimed in a Marie-like manner, before clapping her hands once, loud and firmly. The action hadn't even been finished before the main door opened, and one of her guards, the captain of them, in fact, entered, ready to hear and carry out his leader's commands. "An imperial expedition to Gaul! Prepare at once. We leave at noon!" Nero instructed. Her subordinate saluted her.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" He responded dutifully. "They will be waiting for you at the main gate. Glory to Rome!" He added, before bowing his head slightly at Ritsuka and I. A sign of acknowledgement for the ranks our new erstwhile boss had bestowed upon us.
"Now, then, we have several hours still left before noon, so please, make yourselves at home, and ready yourselves for a long march," Nero said with a more toned-down smile, standing up and heading off towards her room, leaving only Ritsuka, Mash, myself, and our Servants.
"I must admit, I am quite curious to see what Fran—Gaul, will look like," Marie spoke up, her pale blue eyes shining excitedly as she clasped her hands, shaking slightly in excitement. Jeanne shook her head slightly, a bemused expression on her face as she lightly gripped the Rider's shoulder.
"Patience, Marie," the Ruler chided gently. "Remember, we won't be seeing much of the land. Still, I do agree that it will be quite interesting. A pity that we don't have more time to spend here, otherwise I would like to see what Domrémy looks like in this century," she admitted ruefully. Gilles gave a single nod, keeping quiet, a contemplative look on his face while next to him, Medea and Sasaki began bickering…again.
I swear, part of me wonders if there is some sort of chemistry going on between the female Caster and the sole Assassin of Chaldea.
Next to me, Ritsuka coughed into his fist quietly and politely, presumably to get my attention. I looked at him, cocking my head slightly to the side as I stared questioningly at my younger friend. "Something the matter, Rits?" I asked quietly, not wanting to draw the attention of the others. Especially not while there is such a lovely and comforting mood going on. Those were truly moments that in the past few weeks I have come to realize are truly worth both saving and savoring.
"Not exactly," my fellow Master admitted with a troubled expression. I don't call him out on that however, and merely wait as he continues speaking. "Are you okay? You looked completely out of it last night." I nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, I was dealing with…with killing that soldier," I mutter backed softly. "It didn't feel right. Still doesn't feel right," I added quickly, seeing his eyes widen just a fraction. "But it won't affect me, not anymore. Mordred helped out with that," I finished, smiling slightly. Ritsuka returned one filled with relief.
"Yeah, I'm not looking forward to having to witness that stuff myself. I talked with Mash and Doctor Roman last night myself, though." I grunted in approval.
"Good. And we have each other," I said, holding out my fist. Ritsuka's grin widened at the gesture, and he bumped his own against mine. "Now, come on, let's get ready. Looks like we're technically going back to France again."
True to her words, the unit Nero had ordered to be made ready was assembled by noon, as ready for departure as we from Chaldea were. It was a full legion, and if I was reading the identification markings their broad shields bore, it was the Legio I Italica. In the center of each shield was the rendition of a snarling boar, the legion's emblem, no doubt. When we had asked Roman, the doctor that is, he filled us in with a brief history of the unit.
The name translated into English as the 'First Italian Legion'. In the proper timeline, it had been founded by Nero on September 22, 66 AD. It had been raised for a campaign in Armenia as a response to the Roman-Parthian War of 58-63. However, the First Jewish-Roman War had broken out that year, and the exemption was canceled, the legion being re-deployed to crush the revolt. It's members, at least at the beginning, had been all Italics, (the good doctor briefly pausing to explain how the various peoples who lived on the Italian Peninsula being called this) and each soldier was a giant of a man, six feet or more. That height was considered to be even more extraordinary during this period of time, and harder to find in the Mediterranean. Personally, I found it a bit humorous to see the armored men who stood a good foot taller than Mordred. The fact that this legion had been raised six years before they should have been could be chocked up to the whole singularity existence and the civil war which we were now involved in.
Not sure how much of that would prove useful for us in terms of correcting the timeline, but it was certainly interesting to learn some new stuff from Doctor Roman nevertheless. It also allowed for Ritsuka and I to tune out the little speech Nero had started to give, seated on the back of a pitch-black mare. While she was speaking, however, I took a minute or two to observe the Emperor of Roses and her accompanying bodyguard unit.
Spread out to either side and behind her were fifty armored men with imperial purple cloaks and transversal horsehair crests dyed a similar shade. The coloring denoted members of the elite Praetorian Guard, soldiers who served as the personal guards of the Roman Emperors…as well as their murderers for a number. However, it looked like they were loyal to the person they had sworn their oaths too.
Perhaps also the fact that the emperor they had murdered, Caligula, was alive once again was helping cement their infamous loyalty this time. While I can't, won't, speak for Caligula, if I was murdered by people who had sworn to protect me, I would be pissed, to say the very least!
Finally, Nero had concluded her speech, to a thunderous roar of approval, before declaring to move out, a long column of men and metal, with a will of iron.
Roughly two hours later saw our expedition making excellent progress towards the border between Gaul and the imperial heartlands, where the main base of operations for our side was located. The soldiers seemed to be in good spirits, a testament to Nero's oration skills and her impressive level of popularity with her subjects. Marching cadences amongst the various cohorts could be heard, even those all the way at the opposite end of the column.
In the front, Ritsuka and I, along with Mash, Mordred, and the other Servants. accompanied Nero and her personal bodyguard of fifty Praetorian Guardsmen. The men rode in silence, looking alert at all times, be it on the occasional pause, to allow for Nero's scouts to check for any ambushes or traps up ahead, or on the move.
Once again, Nero looked at Ritsuka and I in concern. "Ritsuka, are you sure about staying on foot?" She asked my fellow Master, the white cloth of his uniform beginning to be stained a light brown at the edges due to the dust. "Or you, Jacob?" She added. Ritsuka nodded while I simply shrugged, relatively unbothered by going on foot. Considering all the running we had to do in France only a week or so ago, a relatively consistent marching pace felt like a cakewalk for us. However, the Roman's words of concern caused Mash to over her shoulder.
"Senpai, are you sure that you're alright? You and Jacob Senpai have been walking virtually non-stop since we left the city. Are you not tired?" She asked, causing both of us to smile slightly.
"This is nothing," I said, pulling a rather Mordred-esque smirk. Ritsuka nodded again before looking at the Shielder walking alongside him.
"What about you, Mash? Are you alright?" He asked his first Servant. Mash nodded, a firm expression on her face.
"I'm fine. As a Demi-Servant, I have incredible stamina," she informed her senpai. I had asked Ritsuka to explain the term to me, and he had gladly given me a crash course on the whole 'senpai' and 'kouhai ' concepts. At least I now understood what she meant whenever she referred to us with that word.
At that moment, Ritsuka's commlink lets out a soft chime, and my fellow Master opened his connection to Chaldea's Command Room. "You should've just gotten on that horse. Were you traumatized when you almost felled off of it?" Our other erstwhile boss asked, his amusement plain. I cough into my fist, disguising the soft bark of laughter that had escaped past my lips.
When our party had been offered our own mounts from the imperial stables, as opposed to having us march like the soldiers, Ritsuka had the misfortune of almost being thrown off of a particularly ill-tempered mare. While in his defense, the horse he would have given had to have been one of the meanest-looking creatures I had even seen, it didn't make for any less of an amusing scene. Fortunately, he had been unscathed, and we had opted to walk on foot alongside him.
Unfortunately, however, that did nothing to prevent the teasing and ribbing some of the Servants had given him, though none of it had been mean, thankfully.
"Hey, it's not my fault!" Ritsuka protested, crossing his arms with a scowl.
"Doctor," Mash said in a firm, warning manner, and Doctor Roman fell silent. I could imagine the sheepish expression on the ginger man's face as Mash continued speaking. "Try not to tease Senpai too much, please." While it was phrased like a question, it was clearly a warning. She also was a bit cross still with the man over him eating her special stock of candy when we had first met Jeanne in the previous singularity. Roman laughed sheepishly before replying.
"Sorry, Ritsuka, but it's no fun just providing intel support," Roman whined softly, and I shook my head slightly. This is a serious matter. Usually, fun doesn't tend to go well with that concept. Before I could "—Hold up! I'm detecting life up ahead," Roman said, his voice completely devoid of his earlier mirth and embarrassment. Nero, having heard his words, raised her right hand while reigning in her horse with the other, bring the column to a halt as Ritsuka and I waited nervously for Roman to give us more information. "Ok, it looks like there's no Servants, but I think it's enemies. Maybe around a hundred or so. They're starting to circle around."
With no sounds other than his words, we could hear the faint sound of metal and cloth rustling about up ahead. Narrowing my eyes as I concentrated, I could see the faintest reflection of sunlight off of a metal helmet. Soldiers of the United Empires, no doubt.
"Hmmm," Nero said, lowering her right hand so that she could stroke her chin, her green eyes gleaming. "The invisible mage is quite convenient. Faster than my scouts," she mused, before speaking a bit louder, though thankfully not shouting. "If you may, please consider becoming my new Court Mage." Jeeze, is she trying to recruit all of Chaldea now or what? I could hear the loud gulp Roman made.
"Royal service…a promotion?" He sounded contemplative of the admittedly generous offer. A bit too contemplative, in fact.
"…Doctor," Mash said sternly, and Roman gave off yet another bark of sheepish laughter. Now I could imagine the internet idol-obsessing man rubbing the back of his head.
"No, no, I was just kidding," he said, though to my ears it sounded rather weak. "How could I ever accept royal service? Anyways, here they come! Rapidly closing in from the left and right! Prepare for immediate combat!" Doctor Roman called out firmly, just as shouts and jeers began to fill the forest.
"Men, form ranks! Ready javelins!" Nero called out, drawing forth her sword, a manner I also copied even as Mash and Jeanne positioned themselves defensively around Ritsuka and I. The two, as well as Mordred, had quickly developed the reputation back in Chaldea of being the main line of defense for Rits and I whenever we were under attack. I raised my voice, addressing the Mordred and the other Servants.
"Take up positions on the right. Let's let these guys handle the left side," I instructed them, and only Mordred seemed to be truly excited for combat, though Chulainn did smile just a tad bit too savagely for my liking. Then again, she was the closest one Rits and I have summoned to being a Berserker-class Servant, with Gilles a distant second considering his (weak) Madness trait he had informed us about.
"Umu, we'll get rid of them swiftly!" Nero called out as her men diligently took up defensive formations, their broad shields raised, and lead-shanked heavy javelins held in an overhead pose, awaiting the word so that the deadly projectiles could begin raining down. "Behold the might of Rome!"
E/N:And done! This is mostly a transitional chapter to cover most of the trip between Rome and Gaul. However, one of my biggest complaints about the game is the fact that you're able to travel across *continents* faster than Varys getting from Westros to Essos (Sorry, Game of Thrones Season 5 joke). As much as it bothers me, at least in this case, I will follow the idea that it takes almost the entire day for them, being late evening when they arrive at Gaul. But what did you guys think? Also, I was watching Cells at Work, and one of the main characters, Red Blood Cell, looks like Gudako to me. Look her up and tell me if you disagree, please, because I might use some of her personalities if and when I get to introduce Gudako properly into the story :) Also, the legion I used in this chapter was an actual legion founded by the historical Nero, so sorry for the whole geeking out paragraph. I am about to get my degree in history, so I love writing this stuff haha. Now, for the question(s) of the day: What's your favorite kind of weather, and what's your least favorite? Second: If you could pick the destination of your choice for a week-long vacation, where would you go?
A/N: Sorry for the long delay. As some of you may know, I am also posting this story on Archive of Our Own, and have been doing so since I first started this story back in July 2020. I've stopped doing it on this site because of a combination of the infamous updating bug in the first week of November, and also because of a few other personal issues I have with this site, such as ads and trolls. I will try to continue updating the story on this site consistently again, but if it happens that there is another long pause, check out the original on AO3. For those who wish to stay on this site, fear not. I have a total of seventy-seven plus chapters for this story, and so we're not even close to being halfway caught up. See you in the next update!