Chapter 19
Welcome to the UAC
Ritsuka found herself in the darkness again...There was no deep voice talking about his past this time. She looked around and she saw the Rabbit from before and walks over to it.
"Hello, who are you, little one?" She asked the rabbit reaching out her hand to let it sniff her. It remains silent as it stood on its hind legs to get her scent.
"Her name is Dasiy." The same voice from before called out from the void. Ritsuka looked around but could not find the source
"You thought I was the bunny didn't you?" The voice asked with a little, calm laugh afterwards. Ritsuka was wary, however, her curiosity of her servant led her to push on and question this voice
"S-sorry. Um...Are you both connected to him? I mean the 'Doomslayer'?" she asks.
"...yes. Daisy is something he holds dear...She...is all that is left. Then the Demons took her away..." The voice answered, focusing on the bunny.
"What about you?" She asked the disembodied voice.
"I...Don't know. It's strange…" it sounded said as they mentioned her difficulty understanding on what she was. Before Ritsuka could ask another question a Door of light opens in front of her. The bunny hops towards it and turns around looking back at the girl.
"Go...If you want answers...Daisy will guide you." The voice said and Ritsuka ends up entering the door. Her environment changes to some sort of facility, very unlike Chaldea as it looked more industrial. Most of the lights were out and some alarms were going off….what really caught her attention was the blood and bodies that scatter the halls.
BOOM
The sound of Shotgun causes Ritsuka to turn around to find Doomguy, who was in a slightly different suit of armour, standing over a corpse of some form of undead monster.
"Doomguy?" She called out but her words did not reach him as he walked past her without even reacting to her. Daisy began to follow him, so Ritsuka did the same as Doomguy shot up some zombies and imps that were taking up shop in a security office.
"His guns are different too...This must be in the past for him." Ritsuka said as she followed daisy down the hall until they reached a door that had as the word "Vega" over it. She follows Doomguy and Dasiy in and found herself in an advanced computer room. Kind of like the command room at Chaldea but smaller.
"It's a gift...Take it. It will give you strength, help you on your journey. If you can withstand the power surge..." A deep, modulated voice said as a metal container rose up from the floor and opened up review a glass orb. Within it was a red vortex of unknown energy raging inside of it. Ritsuka watches as Doomguy takes the orb and crushes it. He did not react to the savage energy entering his body through his suit.
The main screen of the room then activated show the face of a pale white robot.
"That was pure Argent energy you just took into your system. It seems to agree with you. Hmm. I will unlock the remaining Argent cells withing the facility for you. Vega. Give him what he wants." The robot said.
61,1337 UAC member deceased. 81% of the facility is on lockdown. Demonic presence in the Mars installation is critical…" Vega said continuing his report while Ritsuka was doing her best to keep up with all this new information.
"A-all those people...Demons and I am I mars?! Just what is going on here?" Ritsuka said asking the bunny who was looking up at her. After taking some breaths she picked up the rabbit to calm her down. Daisy didn't seem to mind it and Ritsuka calmed down to collect her thoughts.
She had to focus. This was in Doomguys past and there was nothing she could do about it. Ritsuka was able to get some names...The robot was Dr Hayden and the one that caused this calamity was Olivia Pierce.
"I feel I should apologize for whats happened here. Some of my employees took this way to far. Oliva was the cause of all this...and I believe that you will have to deal with her in time...You may not agree with our research but know this, we exploited hell and it's resources because it was mankind's best interest to do so…" Dr Hadyen continued.
"Huh?! Using Hell as a power source? No duh that people died!" Ritsuka yelled in the middle of the conversation. She was angry, what kind of company would use hell as a source of power and risk so many lives. The redhead now understood why the Slayer was so busy killing demons all the time… it was people literally opening the gates of hell.
"...What you now see in this facility is the cost of progress! Humpf...but none of that matters now." Alarms go off shortly after Dr Hayden finished talking. The room turns dark and shortly...Ristuka wakes up.
Now Entering: Eternal Madness Empire Septem
Today was the second rayshift in the quest of saving humanity from incineration. Everyone was sitting in the command room waiting for the mission briefing but Doomguy and Da-Vinci appeared to be late.
"What's taking them so long?" Gudao asked as he sipped some coffee that was brought in by Mashu.
"According to Vega, Da-Vinci finally pressured Doomguy enough to let her look at some of his gear…" Acting Director Romani sighed as he sipped from his own mug of coffee. Turning his attention to Ritsuka, he notices that she appeared to be distracted with something.
"Had a dream about our resident badass soldier?" Romani asked causing her to snap out of her train of thought.
"Oh! umm...Yeah…I did," She said taking a bite out her doughnut.
"Right. The Servant-master bond that causes both to have the same dream. Did you see anything about Doomguy-san?" Mashu said still curious about Said man's past.
"Back in Orleans, it was like someone was telling me a story. Last night I got a bit of the real thing." Ristuka then explains her past dreams about the Doomslayer and her recent one about one of the places he has been to. Vega shortly chimed in to fill in the blanks on Ritsuka's experience as he had almost everything on file.
"Wow…" Gudao said shocked to hear that Doomguy practically has his own testaments written about him.
"How could a company do that?" Mashu said referring to the UAC using Hell as an energy source to answer a resource crisis.
"Yeah, I have been staying up late reading the files Vega gave us and it's nuts about everything. Having a base on Mars such a feat on its own but risking the lives of the employees?" Romani took another sip of his coffee as he finds the UAC just absolutely crazy.
"While I agree with your statements, the UAC was the leader in all scientific pioneering in both technological and medical," Vega said understanding their distaste of the UAC.
"He's right. We wouldn't have Vega without them." Mashu said happy to have the AI around. The conversation died down as both Doomguy and Davinci enter the Command room, thus starting the mission briefing.
"Your gear is just amazing! I could spend days just learning about your plasma rifle. Oh, that just my Genius brain going!" Da-vinic said feeling good that she finally got her hands on some of the Slayer's gear.
"I hope you also spent your time analyzing both Holy Grails we collected!" Romani said annoyed at his colleague.
"Ahem, now that everyone is here. Let us get started." Romani said returning to his console. He explains the next time frame they will be Rayshifting to will be 1st century Europe, specifically, Ancient Rome during its time as a great empire.
"Hm? Ancient Rome? Really? That sounds like fun! I sort of want to go too!" Da-Vinci said very interestedly about the target area.
"You have analyzing to do, I believe. Please partake of Roman pleasures some other time." Romani shot down that idea.
"Oh, darn it...I guess I will have Vega Record stuff for me to check out later then! Speaking of which! Vega, would you be a dear and bring it over." Da-Vinci said and the Vega Drone entered the room.
"Here you go, Leonardo. I have run pre-mission Diagnostics and all systems are green across the board." Vega said while controlling the drone.
"Perfect! Just like last time, we will be sending the drone with you for support. I have made some performance improvements along with increase sensor range. He'll be better at detecting sneaky foes to better warn you guys" She said as vega attaches his drone body onto Ritsukas backpack.
"Now, The teleport point is the Imperial Capital City of Rome. From there on you, guys will need to collect intel on where the Grail is and retrieve it." Romani then looked grim for a moment.
"However, Unlike last time there might be a chance of Hell's forces interfering. Depending on who conjures them into this world. But, Like Orleans, all demonic threats seem to disappear once the Singularity begins to shut down." Romani stated the new threat to Chaldea that could interfere with their progress. Thankfully they had Doomguy around who could slayer them with ease and fellow-servants appear to an effective way of dispatching the invading demons
"Not a problem. I have been studying the bestiary Vega gave us and so no more demons will get the drop on us." Mashu said confidently.
"With Mashu and Doomguy, we can get through anything!" Gudao said with confidence while getting thumps up from Ritsuka. Doomguy, on the other hand, was wary...He'll need to keep his focus to keep them alive...Hopefully, they can find some allies that can help Mashu watch their flanks if Hell reared it's ugly head again.
"That's the Spirit! Similar to last mission, you'll reach and correct the singularity. Also, find the grail, and obtain or destroy it. Humanities continuation is on all of your shoulders. I hope your successful time too...and you all come back safely." Romani said with a smile.
"-Yes, we'll make it back to Chaldea, I promise," Mashu said then turns to face her master.
"I'll be counting on you Senpai, I'll need your strength for this mission," She smiled.
"Oi! Don't forget about me and Doomguy!" Ritsuka said not wanting to be left out on the pep-talk.
Following her words, Doomguy nods and gives a thumbs-up as he was ready for anything. Mashu then asks if Chaldea will be able to detect hostile and neutral servants via detection. Which Vega answered that it's was impossible to be able to detect a servant's intentions due to limited equipment. She nods accepting this outcome while apologizing for such an impossible request. Romani waved it offed saying that it was a valid question since he was throwing them into dangerous situations.
With that out of the way, the ground team got ready for a rayshift to Ancient Rome.
Once again they were greeted by a clear blue sky in an open field just like in Orleans. Vega confirmed that they are in the right timeframe while everyone keeps an eye out for danger. Fou also sneaked his way into joining them again which the crew did not mind. Both Fou and Mashu were glad to be in the outside world and not confined in Chaldea. Gudao was happy to see Mashu enjoying herself regardless of being on a dangerous mission. It made him much more focused and ready for the trails ahead.
Doomguy was looking at the sky...There was that bright ring in the sky again. He wonders if the Demons of hell are connected to that in any shape or form.
"Dr Romani, It would appear that we are off-target for the insertion point." Vega Alerts Romani checks his instruments in case there was an error on his end
"Yeah, What happened? I thought we double checked everything." Romani said confused as he checks the coordinates.
"Uh, we are in the hills…" Ritsuka said looking about their current area for any sign of Rome as Vega and Romani try to figure out the cause. A couple of moments goes by as Mashu continues to discuss the teleportation error until they heard the sounds of battle coming from the west.
"...You guys hear that?" Gudao said as the echos reach his ears.
"Yes, I think it's the sounds of battle. It seems to be coming from over the hill," Mashu said. Doomguy seemed to be irradiated like he knew the demons were close but he can just leave them behind like last time. His grip getting tighter on his shotgun with each passing second.
"If you don't mind. I wish to do to a scan for demonic energy," Vega said as he notices Doomguy's body language...Hovering into the air, he sends out pulses of blue energy from the drone.
"I have found traces of hell energy coming from the same direction of the sounds. We should depart immediately to assess and eliminate the threat. Humans stand no chance against the forces of Hell." Vega said as he came back down.
"Alright! Questioning the location of Rome can wait! You guys need to save those soldiers and hopefully makes some friends!" Romani ordered and everyone went running to the top of the hill. As they suspected, there was a major battle going on of human and Demon. From the looks of it, The demons just joined in, wiping out most of the red and gold regalia clad soldiers. A common colour pair favoured by Ancient Rome. A smaller group appear to be holding there ground against the demonic threat as they defend a walled city.
"Is there anything else distinct going on? Well, besides the Demons?" Romani asked while Ritsuka could see Doomguy itching to get into the fight. He looks to her waiting for her orders, resisting his urges. The redhead nods as the situation seemed dire.
"I think that can wait. Doomguy, Let them have it!" Ritsuka ordered and Doomguy jumps off the hillside and slides down into the fight below.
"Ritsuka-Senpai? Are you sure about that?" Mashu said surprised.
"I believe in him. We can join in once he thins them out." She answered as her servant begins the slaughter.
"Good tactic, Master Ritsuka. I was about to suggest that very action." Vega said as he zooms his eye lens over the battle. He was wondering how that army of troops was still fending off the Demons. Even with advance UAC tech, humanity barely survives the initial invasion on his earth.
"Wait I see some other soldiers wearing different colours! Over there!" Gudao said noticing some of the soldiers on the frontline appeared to be in White armour. Vega pans over to where the boy was pointing and was surprised to see the familiar armour design. White armour that looked similar to medieval crusader design but was more advanced technologically.
"Wait, who are those guys? They don't look at all like Roman troops." Romani said gazing over at Vega's feed looking at the .
"Hold up, I am getting multiple servant readings…" Dr Romani said
"It would appear that the Slayer might have some allies down there," Vega confirmed.
Romans of Argenta.
It was a surprise change in battle, first, it was the invading army then it was these Demonic beast come charging in. Like a torrent, they flow right over the enemy soldiers with not care for their own being.
"Hup! YA!" The leader of the defending army still stands tall and swings her Red slamming sword. The skirt of her dress twirling around with each of her attacks as she cuts thru the demonic horde.
"Hold the line! We shall defend our glorious city!" She said gleaming with charisma, unfazed of the demonic enemy.
"Watch out, Empress!" A brute of a warrior yells gets behind her and smashes the head of a sneaking demon with his glowing red hammer.
"Prowlers aways wait for there chance to strike. Be on your guard you majesty." the warrior in white armour with a mohawk hairstyle said to the Roman emperor
"Umu. I will be more careful. How are your forces doing Praetor Valen?" She asked the leader of the small army of soldiers named "Sentinels" that came to her Rome a few days ago. They warned her about the demonic threat and she was sceptical at first but welcomed them all the same to her home. Coming back to the current battle, she was glad they came or her city might have already been in ruin.
"My warriors are holding the frontlines while helping to evacuate the wounded. We are holding for now." He said as he observes the horde of demons. Their ranks are full of Imps, Hellknights and gargoyles taking the frontline with the super heavy demons just behind them.
"Umu. Good to hear that. Now we shall-" The Emperor words stop as one of the Sentinel warriors came running to them with the news.
"Sires! The enemy is moving away from the city gates!" He then handed Valen a telescope. The man then sees that the backline of the demons was running towards something else.
"Did we get reinforcements? I thought ordered the capital to be sealed?" The emperor said confused as Valen lowered the telescope. Demons are only interested to consume all life, so something had to be threatening them enough to change targets.
"There is only one man I know who can get that many Hellbeast's attention..." Valen said seeing more demons diverging towards the hills.
"Who are you talking about., Praetor Valen?" The Roman Emperor asked curiously as Valen lowered the telescope and looked at his contractor in the eye.
"The only thing they fear: The Doomslayer," Valen said, sparking great curiosity in the young Emperor...
Following his master's orders, he was going all out on the demonic horde. Not one shall be spared or given mercy, for he will rip and tear them apart. He leads his assault with his Noble Phantasm, Crushing the first of many waves of hell beasts. Colouring the fields in red demon blood and innards. A Dreadnought tries to slash at Doomguy only to get a blade to through jaw and out the cyber skull. Imps tried to rush him with their claws, only being vaporized by superheated plasma bolts. A group of five barons showed up trying to use their numbers against him in hopes of crushing there immortal foe
Three of the got shredded to bits by a Quad Damage boosted Minigun leaving to injured but still determined to kill. Doomguy double jumps land a crushing Blood punch, killing one with the shockwave stunning the other. Taking this opportunity he takes out his chainsaw and cuts remainders left leg. It falls on it's back for doomguy to cut it's head off at the jaw. He looks forward seeing more of the demon horde running at him. He was doing his best keeping his Madness in check so that he didn't let anyone of them sneak by but he could feel it slipping out with each group he kills.
He must get efficient with his kills to stay ahead. As much as he wants to let them suffer, Doomguy has a war to win. While he is still under the effects of the Quad, he swaps for his ballista with the Destroyer blade mod attached. Each fully charged shot cleaving through the hordes with each kill adding more time for Quad-damage. The horde thinning out a rapid rate until only a tyrant remained right as his power-up ran out.
Nothing a Crucible can't fix.
He ignites the red blade of the slayer and runs at the beast to cut it down like many of its brethren.
"Hiya!"...only it to be cut down right before he could even reach it by another red blade.
"Umu, that is all of them…" It was a blonde woman in red attire who was about to congratulate the man but was stunned at the sight off his blood-soaked armour and dead demon bodies lying around…
She looked around with her green eyes looking for any other soldiers but found none but him.
"...S-sorry It's..just. You took all of them by yourself? A single man? You are to be praised for your strength in combat!" She said. Doomguy remained silent as Vega said on his hud that Ritsuka and the others were on their way.
"Umm...are you not understanding my language? Are you a foreigner by chance?" The woman said lowering her blade asked trying to not sound rude to the towering man.
"I am afraid you are not going to get a word out of him, your highness." Doomguy looked behind the woman as he recognized the voice hitting his ears. It was the betrayer along with some Knight Sentinels warriors. The Slayer was wary of them as his sovereignty with the Sentinal was shattered The moment he killed the last Hellpriest.
"Do not worry, Slayer, these warriors are loyal to King Novik and you," Valen said as the Knight Sentinal warriors saluted and said their phrase of loyalty.
"Kar En Tuk!" They chanted the warcry the represents the slayer's words in the Argenta language, proving their loyalty to him.
"Sorry, we are late… Ran into some undead. Nothing Mashu couldn't handle," Ritsuka said catching her breath as the others reach Doomguy and were surprised by the man standing next to him as he hed did not look like he was from this era. They were dumbfounded until a woman wearing red walked up to everyone snapping them out of there stares.
"Who are you all? Are you from the capital?" The woman asked and everyone shook their heads.
"No matter, I commend you all. It doesn't matter if you were once my enemy. I am merciful, so past mistakes are water under the bridge." She said with a proud smile.
"Your kindness knows no bounds Empress Nero Claudius," Valen said dropping a huge information bomb the group.
"Wait, WHAT? Do you mean that Nero?! Niece of Caligula?" Romani said causing Nero's eyes to dart around looking for the source of the sound. Gudao noticed her confused and enable the hologram emitter on his comm unit to show Romani presence.
"Are you a mage by chance?" Nero asked and Doctor Romani nods.
"Whew, you know about magecraft! That's good, Yes we are a group of mages part of an organization of Chaldea. Please just think of me using magecraft to communicate over a large distance. Now, Can I confirm again that you are Nero Claudius?" He asked wanting to gather as much data as possible before more trouble showed up.
"Umu! I am the fifth Roman Emperor, Nero Claudius. I swear to rebuild the Roman Empire. Yes, this I swear to the gods, my ancestors, to myself and to the people!" She stated proudly as Vega filled in the data logs on Nero Claudius. Vega was surprised to see that another thought to be male historical figure was actually female...He found it very odd that her overall appearance made her similar to a certain Saber class servant.
"Now that I introduced myself, may I ask your names?" Nero said looking about the kind strangers in front of her.
"I am Doctor Romani." The doctor said as he typed entries for his report.
"I am Mashu Kyrielight, Demi-servant to Gudao-senpai and Ritsuka-Senpai. The little guy here is Fou." Mashu said Gesturing to the small creature.
"This is Vega, Consider him a familiar of Doomguy-san," Mashu said
"Greetings, your excellency," Vega said with respect.
"Umu, for a familiar you are very wise sounding. I like it!" Nero stated as she finally understands why there was a floating metal eyeball. Her gaze then was to the slayer expecting an introduction to such a warrior.
"Umm...Your highness…" Ritsuka tried to come up with an explanation but even she didn't know much about doomguy or even his real name.
"I believe I can take over from her, young ones," Valen said stepping forward. The tiro took note that his armour looked similar to Doomguys but was white compare to the dark green of his praetor suit.
"Wait, you know about him?" Gudao said scratching his head about the men in white armour.
"I do know the Slayer very well as we share history. Emperor Nero, This man is the great Slayer. I have seen him return from battles were many Sentinal would fall yet he would come back every time. He who has become a legend in the grand arena of Argent d'Nur. He...is the one the demons fear." Valen explained as his Night Sentinel troops stood at attention while Nero looked at the Slayer with great interest.
"I trust Valen with the protection of my city so I trust his words about you, Slayer. You work also supports his words. Come, with our enemies in ruin we shall take rest in my glorious city!" She said smiling and walks away to check on her troops.
"This has become a very interesting turn of events" Vega stated as he was not expecting Sentinals to be on earth...or even this specific singularity.
"I-I Ummm…." Ritsuka stuttered, unsure of what to ask of this man. All she knows is that he was connected to Doomguy.
"I believe an inquiry is in order, Valen," Vega suggests and the Betrayer nods. It was time to fill in the confused Chaldeans about the mysterious warriors.
"So, you two are the masters? And the shieldmaiden is Mashu?" He asked.
"Y-yes. We are with Chaldea to save humanity." She answered as Valen looks at each person then to the Slayer.
"Very well, I will answer what I can. However, we should head for the capital in the meantime." He said and everyone agreed to retreat to the capital city of Rome. Many questions were asked by Chaldea and Valen and Vega answered the best they can. The real kicker for Chaldea was the sentinels were living proof of life on other planets.
"...I am just...Who knew we would meet Aliens on our quest." Romani said dreading the report that would follow this event. Regardless, he was pretty much as hyped up as the people on the ground.
"I am amazed. Such a civilization existing alongside earth's!" Mashu said happily listening in with great interest. Valen was giving them the basics of Sentinel life, their laws and how they eventually travelled among the stars. The topic then came to how the sentinels got the Ancient Rome in the first place as the Sentinals didn't have Rayshifing technology regardless of them being Space-faring.
"It is because of our King Novik, he is the one who summoned us to this world to assist you and the Slayer against the demons." The Betrayer explained.
"Not to sound rude, but does that mean your servants?" Gudao asked and Valen nods as they reach the gates of the capital. The slayer ponders if it was King Novik that sent him here as well...It would explain his presence as a servant along with the Sentinals. He respected Novik, the man was a good leader even if he fell to the lies of the Maykr's. Regardless he mostly understands why he is here now…
To Rip and Tear until it was done.
The conversation ends as Nero approaches the group ready to show her glorious city. Valen promises to answer more questions at a later time and they entered the grand city. The ancient city was bustling with life as the citizens filled the streets without a worry in their faces. Children running around the streets, markets booming with business and buildings that matched the ancient description.
No place like Rome.
"Take a good look and be struck with awe! This is my glorious regime that even young girls extol! Yes, Yes didn't I tell you? After all, this is the greatest city in the world!" Nero began to recite her love for the city she ruled as the Masters, Mashu, Vega and Doomguy took in the sights.
"This city is so vibrant!" Ritsuka said looking around.
"Everyone is energetic!" Gudao added as he walked beside Mashu.
"I have to agree, this is a once in a lifetime experience," Vega said with the drone in backpack mode to not draw too much attention. The AI was very interested in seeing human history in person whileDoomguy watched as the emperor and the teens walked up to a shop to grab some apples. Constantly watching each and every possible vantage point for any threats...Too much going at once...he wasn't used to the cities full of life...only those with bodies filling the streets.
"We already have done a sweep of the city for any threats of invasion on the inside of the city. It also helps that the people are loyal to her Majesty, like how the people of Argenta were." The Betrayer said with a slight look of sorrow in his eyes. If it wasn't for himself, maybe the Sentinel's would be still the proud people they once were.
"Now, it's not the time to dwell on the past. We have our duties to fulfil." He said looking back at the slayer who nods in agreement as they walk towards the emperor
"...Well for me. I am usually humble about these things too, you know? But I want to show off a little..." She said humbly and much more causally causing the Chaldea trio to comment on how cute she looked.
"Umu, once again, I like you," Nero said smiling.
The conversation then returns to the topic of Chaldeans goals in these parts of Rome.
"...So, like Praetor Valean, you are to assist me in during these strange events?" Nero asked and Mashu nods.
"Yes, you are not wrong about that," Mashu said.
"The centre of the world of, and the world itself. The name of the greatest empire that rules the world is Rome. In this era, there should be no threats to the city. The Grails influence must be upsetting events. If I am right, this era's singularity is the existence of the great Roman empire. An empire that greatly influenced late generations. Stopping its destruction would fix the singularity" Dr Romani said pondering ideas while confusing Nero who could barely keep up.
"...S-Sorry I don't quite understand. Please speak a bit more in my range of understanding," Nero asked with a little bit of embarrassment.
"What the Doctor is trying to say is that we are looking for a magical object called a "Holy grail". It is the main cause for your current war and the demonic threat Empress Nero" Vega simplified getting a nod of approval from Nero.
"Emporer Nero, Commander Valen!" Two knight Sentinels called out as they approached the group with haste. They pause for a moment to stand at attention at the Slayer.
"What is it?" Nero asked.
"We had a situation in the market; a few men began to attack civilians. We subdued them for the question as they might be spies." They answered.
"Great work. Question them immediately and report back with any answers." The roman Emperor said.
"Right away." They turn to face Doomguy.
"It's our honour to see you again, Great Slayer." The two knights then return to the crime scene.
"You know...These guys really respect Doomguy-san." Mashu whispered to her Senpai's.
"Almost like…" Gudao said crossing his arms in thought.
"...A king?" Ritsuka guessed and before they could ask any more questions they were rushed to the Emperor's Castle to make a plan of action. Nero revealed that her empire's territories were torn apart other cities being taken over by suddenly-sprung emperors, under the name of The United Roman empire. It was then Valen and the Knight Sentinels joined her armies and aided her in the first demonic assault. Chaldea suggested that the emperors might be servants due to her Nero's court mage being killed without effort by a sword-bearing Emporer.
"Would you happen to know any of the emperor's names?" Ritsuka asked and Nero nods but with a sorrowful look in her eyes.
"My Uncle Caligula is among their numbers…" She stated.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ritsuka said.
"Don't be. I believe that information might be helpful to you. Valen, would you kindly explain your report from earlier," The Emperor asked and Valen agrees and explains that the Caligula that attacked Rome was clearly a Berserker class servant as it took many of his troops to force him to retreat.
"...Thank you, Valen. Now we got the United Empire explained, we still have those monstrous demons to worry about." Nero shifted focus to the newly discovered threat to her people. She looks to the man in green armour, the so-called "Great Slayer", A person that the Sentinels seem to respect highly. With the evidence she saw first hand on the blood-soaked battlefield, she understands why these foreign warriors respect him so highly. These newcomers are clearly a blessing from an unknown land, it would be foolish to not ask them to join her armies.
"I currently have scouts scouring the lands looking for Gore Nests. They should be at the rendezvous point with the other generals..." The betrayer added while noticing her gaze the Slayer.
"Thank you, Valen, I have come to a decision," Nero said addressing the Chaldea group.
"I hate to admit it…but with both the United Empire and the Demons, this situation is beyond my ability to break by myself. Therefore, I order you, no I implore you all! Become my generals! Then I and Rome shall assist you in retrieving this Holy Grail!" Nero gave her offer to Chaldea. Gudao and Mashu were up for the offer as Nero has shown herself to be trustworthy.
"Such a heaven-sent proposal," Romani commented.
"It seems we have a common cause. I would recommend taking up her offer as it will increase our odds of completing the mission" Vega added.
"That's right. What do you think Gudao, Ritsuska and Doomguy-san?" Mashu asked both masters nod then waited for Doomguy to answer in his usual way. Doomguy just nods agreeing to go with whatever the kids wanted to do, he was wary of the Roman emperor but it at least she heard Valen's warning of the Demons.
Much unlike the people Argent d'Nur who only accepted the Slayer's warning when it was too late…
"Umu! I Shall grant two of you the tile of the viceroy and reward you all for all the work you already have done. Rest well tonight. I shall prepare quarters suitable for a viceroy for you!" Nero promised a good place to rest while during their stay in Rome along with food and fine drink. Mashu quickly and politely mentions that she and masters did not partake in alcoholic beverages. Better for her to mention it before doomguy finds them under the influence…
As the sun lowers to the horizon, the final details were being discussed about Chaldea's main enemy: Leff Lainer along with how their group was going to be positioned in the frontlines so that they can get the most pieces of information.
"Alright, As the emperor of Rome I shall get work with you all for our common goals. For now, we should rest until tomorrow. I do plan on rewarding you all as much as I can offer in my Rome!" Nero said as negotiations end with many pleasing outcomes with both sides benefiting.
Rest and Reparations
As the evening turned to night, after a great feast supplied by Nero's Rome, The Chaldea Trio along with Vega decided to take a rest in the room provided to them. It was a luxurious room compared to the standard quarters of Chaldea. Marble covered the walls and floor with patterns of gold tracing the room. Their beds were made of velvet rose-covered sheets that felt like silk.
"Ahhhhh...I could sleep on this forever..." Ritsuka said face down in the super-soft pillow.
"Fou! Fou!" Fou yelped also enjoying the roman luxuries, burying himself under the covers.
Compared to Orleans, this singularity had a much better start with allies and a base of operations right from the start. Overall, a huge improvement but they cannot expect this all the time in future singularities. They can't expect future singularities to have such good starts and have to be ready for anything. They
"The Roman Empire was known for being a peak in ancient architecture. It wasn't until the Industrial Revolution that humanity would take another large technological leap." Vega mentions as he scans the room, documenting every detail he could find.
"Whats Doomguy up too?" Gudao said noticing the berserker was absent in the room.
"I believe that Mister Valen wanted to talk to him alone. He mentioned that they shared history together." Mashu said while giggling at Ritsuka who was still face down in the bed. They were all resting up for the next excursion out to find more information for the mission.
"So, How are you both holding up now? You know, since we got those demons to worry about along with restoring humanity." He asked and both girls grew reflective on the situation.
"I am doing well so far Senpai, I was scary at first but now I am getting used to our situation. What about you Ritsuka senpai?" Mashu asked the redhead.
"Well...The thought of what we are doing still terrifies me. When I first saw those demons, I was frozen in fear. But then you and doomguy saved me. Thanks again by the way Gudao," Ritsuka said thanking him for pushing her out of the way of danger back in Orleans.
"No problem, we are in this together. I am just glad that I am not the only master here. I can't imagine taking this all alone." He said.
"Me neither. Let's stick together to the end, Gudao." Ritsuka said, smiling and laughing with her friends.
Meanwhile, the Slayer was meeting up with Valen at his request. With the Icon of sin dead, The betrayer's son is now at peace and so was his. He hands over a container that was not unlike a metal briefcase and Doomguy was surprised to see its contents. Three celestial energy cores, a rare power source of the Sentinal race that was only surpassed by Wraithfire and Argent Energy.
"This is for releasing my son of his torment. It was a hard find but King Novik guided me to them, I am surprised to see that he still trusts me." Valen said with guilt bleeding from his one clear eye as the other was blinded. He shook the memory away as he was now on his mission to right the wrongs he caused and carry on his sentinal honour.
"But you have proven me wrong, Slayer, it is not the heavens to decide one's fate. I believe you should be able to find a use for those cores." Valen said as Doomguy closes the case to put in in his inventory system for later use.
"I would suggest using them to protect those young ones. It's only a matter of time before the demons learn of there importance to this word...And you." Valen gazed right into The Slayers eyes with as his warning carried a heavy realisation.
"Up until now you have been a lone wolf in your conquest but now you will need to protect those that are weak." Doomguy glared at the Sentinal for calling those kids weak, they are taking a huge burden that should be reserved for people like him. But his old teacher was right, if the Demons learn of the Master-servant bond, they will do whatever it takes to target Ritsuka and the others. The mere thought of them being ripped apart...it made him feel something he thought he couldn't anymore...
Fear.
"Now you understand the importance of seeking allies for the battles ahead." Valen then walked down the hall and gestured Doomguy to follow.
"Its been a while since we spared. Let see if you are still the Slayer of Legend."
AN: UMU! we are back at it again with ROME! but this time with the Sentinals making there mark on the story. Septem isn't the most sparkling when comes to the story since it was more focused on Nero over Chaldea's quest but I am going to do it regardless. So adding the sentinels should spice things up to the story.
Now for some Doom lore in case, some people were confused: The Betrayer real name is Valen and he was one of the Sentinels that trained Doomguy. Just to clear things up.
So, what does doomguy has planned for those power cores? The guy is creative as he made the new praetor suit out his old suit and that one was made by a Demon! (As far as I understand) The Wretch! Speaking of which...wonder what he's doing these days...
Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter and have a nice day.