Digital Riot: This is really good. I can't get over how much I like this.
A: THANK YOU! Comments like these are what keep a writer writing :)
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Just A Crazyman: Nice I wonder will they use Legions and what of the Auxiliaries?
A: Yes. I'm planning to stay as original to the ancient Roman Empire as possible, so it includes the military structure too.
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Perseus12: It depends on what nations transported to another world...? I wonder on during the Medieval Era or Crusading Era, where the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Ayyubid Sultanate, or the Byzantine Empire discover the Gate by sending their expedition there to explore the new world? Imagine if Balian of Ibelin along the citizens of Jerusalem walk through the Gate and settle their new land and new home, maybe they'll build their own kingdom and Balian become their king? Imagine if the Gate appears on England under the rule of King Richard the Lionheart where he can find adventure and glory...?
A: Haha that's A LOT of ideas. You really should write a fanfic on your own! Still, given the expansionist nature of the Saderan Empire, I don't think it's a good idea for any civilization before the Victorian Age to come into contact with them. And as for my little project, I'm thinking of a certain nation in South East Asia.
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Guest: Don't you realize in GATE anime/light novel canon that the Saderans are actually discended (descended) from the Romans right?! pls retcon it.
A: Firstly, as far as I know, there is no CONCRETE evidence that the Saderans are Roman. They look like Romans, they act like Romans, the theories all say that they're Romans, but it is not confirmed by Takumi Yanai that they're Romans. Secondly, in the last part of the previous chapter, I explicitly hinted that the Roman Empire has a huge connection with Falmart. And then you came along demanding me to add the Romans into the story :/ I would appreciate it very much if you bothered reading before rashly commenting. Thank you.
AD 109
A strange phenomenon was noted in Britain. There were rumors of strange, mythical creatures sighted deep in Scotland, around a particularly misty area long said to be a witch's circle. Scouts sent to investigate return half-mad with terror, speaking of a devious land prowling with demons and monsters.
Eventually, Emperor Trajan got wind of it and dispatched the Ninth Hispana Legion, conveniently stationed in Britain, to locate and destroy the source of evil and determine if there's a new region ripe of attacking. To prevent enemies of the empire from exploiting it, the whole operation was kept in utmost secrecy. Even the Centurians of the Ninth were not told of the true purpose of the mission. The rank and file even thought that it was just a routine patrol in force.
Three months later, the Legion arrived at the epicenter of the disturbance. There, they discovered a huge gate looming ominously on a low hill, half shrouded by a heavy white mist. Strangely, it was noted that one cannot see through the empty gateway, which was permanently filled with an inky blackness even in daylight. After much debate, the Legion Legate decided to plunge into the gate and find out what was hiding behind it.
That's what they did. However, as the last cohort was preparing to enter, something that even Hardy couldn't have predicted occurred. An earthquake shook the land, collapsing the gate and stranding some 7000 men on the other side. Devastated, the remaining Legionaries tried digging a way through, but the Ninth Legion had disappeared clean off the surface of this world.
The survivors made their way back to Britain, where they were discreetly redeployed to the Netherlands. The reason was that Trajan did not want them to spread their tales to the people of Britain and cause a rebellion. The Roman emperor also ordered any records of the Ninth to be destroyed, so none would remember his blunder.
And thus, the Ninth Hispana Legion was lost in the folds of times and gradually grew into the legend it is today.
IC -1221
As the Gate crumbles behind them, the last Legionary scrambles out into a grassy hill under a foreign sun. Around them is a smallish town fill with black-haired, yellowed skin strangers. The Legion Legate hurriedly orders the Ninth into formation, while the locals regard the army standing in the middle of their town with a look less of apprehension and more of... reverence. Using hand signs, the locals managed to guide the Romans out of their town, where they set up a temporary camp and debated what to do.
Some wanted to march on the small town, take it for their own and attempt to rebuild the Gate. Others urged to massacre the town's inhabitants, saying that the strange-looking townfolks obviously knew what happened and probably caused them to be stranded in the first place. Both ideas were quickly shot down as they were stranded in an unknown land with no reinforcement. Finally, they decided to try to establish contact with the locals and collect information before figuring out their next step.
It took 2 years before the Romans managed to get the full story out from the locals. It turned out that they stumbled upon the continent of Falmart, on the hill known as Alnus Hill via a magical portal. Many centuries ago, the goddess Hardy told the Emperor then that one day, an army of saviors would emerge from the Gate and end all the sadness and suffering in the world. The town's forefathers were chosen by the Emperor to guard the Gate and guide whoever came out of it on the correct path. For countless generations, they faithfully fulfilled their task and finally, the Romans appeared. Thus the locals took it upon themselves to provide for the Legionaries, fulfilling every single wish of their guests and heroes.
To say that the Romans were baffled was inadequate. Teleported into another world? How could it be possible? But the fact was that they were stuck there, with no hopes of leaving as the Gate couldn't be repaired. So they might as well make the best of it. After all, the Roman's already big enough egos were stroked to immeasurable heights after being told that THEY are the saviors of the world.
Think about it. Simple Paullus Amatius Maritimus from the slums of Rome, a savior of this world. Certainly has a nice ring to it!
Using Alnus Town as their base of operation, they methodically expanded their sphere of influence, taking in numerous neighboring settlements under their protection. As the area nearby had been long since forgotten by the Qins in the east, the whole area was a lawless land where bandits and raiders had their way. The commoners, seeing the strength of the Legion, flocked to the Romans, further increasing their numbers.
IC -1219
The Legion Legate was nominated to be the leader of the nation and took the title of Consul. During his reign, he actively reached out to neighboring tribes, who were the descendants of early Zhou colonists, in an attempt to strengthen his forces. While some resisted him, many others saw the discipline, technological advancement, and social order of the Romans and decided that allying with them was the best choice.
IC -1210s
Rumors of a prosperous country beyond the western borders begin to spread throughout the Qin Empire. While many scoffs at the tales, refusing to believe that a civilized nation could exist outside of the Empire, it quickly became the hope of the many slaves that formed the backbone of the Empire.
IC -1186
Porcelain is invented in Qin. The great Eastern Empire is now beset with corruption, poverty, and false arrogance as the rich sat upon their delicate pagodas and boasted of the days of their forefathers, oblivious to the masses toiling and dying below them.
IC -1180s
After forty years, the rapidly growing nation of New Rome boasted of over a hundred thousand inhabitants, and the number of Legions had jumped from 1 to 3. The Romans not just brought along soldiers, but also many yet undiscovered skills like dyeing, sculpturing, forging of strong armor, and the secret of making good wine, which they shared with the natives.
The people were contented and the Romans decided to name their small domain New Rome (not very creative, yes). Their territories covered the area from Dumas mountains to the Western desert, from the Romalia mountains to the Glass Penisular.
IC -1152
The Qin Emperor happens to chance upon a cask of Roman wine. It was love at first sip.
"Find me the Nation which produced this heavenly beverage," he ordered his generals. "And secure it in the name of I, your sovereign."
IC -1150
A delegation from Qin visits New Rome. Knowing that the envoys came from the most powerful nation in the area, the Roman respectfully welcomed them in the hopes of making peace, but the envoys had different ideas. Before the whole Roman senate, they declared: "All you savages, listen up. We, the Empire, in the name of his eminence Emperor Ying, first son of the dragon, ruler of the Three Continents and Six Seas, declare the conquest and dominion of all these lands."
One thing the envoys didn't know, was that Romans never, ever bow down to others.
IC -1149
The heads of the Qin envoys were sent back to the emperor. Enraged, he orders 5000 men to be sent to 'destroy the savages'. The War for Wine, the first conflict of New Rome, begins.
When the Romans heard the news, they quickly raised another legion and fortified the mountain passes in the Dumas mountains.
IC -1148
The First Battle of Skirling pass, a ravine situated in the Dumas mountains. The Qin forces were routed at the cost of less than a hundred Legionaries. Morale soar among New Rome and her allies. When news of the defeat reached the Emperor's ears, he was livid. Still refusing to believe that there was a nation out there that could best his troops, he dispatched 20,000 men with his best generals with strict orders to 'kill everything you see'.
IC -1147
The Romans defeated Qin again at the Skirling pass, slaying thousands of invaders, only to discover that Qin had caught them in a two-pronged attack with a second force sailing the Blue Sea and landing at the Glass peninsular behind them. Qin general Bai Qi, much-feared due to his cruelty and willingness to include civilians in battles, led 10,000 bloodthirsty Qin troops up North, sweeping through the undefended heartland of New Rome with impunity.
New Rome Consul Marcellus Simplex Gallio was faced with a hard decision. Stay where he is and let Bai Qi rampage across the Glass Penisular? Or march South to face him and leave the strategically important Skirling Pass undefended? In the end, he chose the latter. Leaving his trusty Ninth Legion to ward of any attack from the North, he marched the rest of his forces along the Tube mountains, hunting down and executing any Qin soldier they found.
Knowing that his killing spree is over, Bai Qi gathered his men and confronted Marcellus, who was resting in a nameless town. The ensuing battle was what would happen if ancient Rome and ancient China clashed. The Roman Consul knew that he was outnumbered. He only had a single Legion with him, and most were raw local recruits who had barely seen any action before; while the opponent had 10,000 men. He knew that if they faced on equal terms, he would probably lose. Which was why he provoked the enemy - to cloud their judgment with anger.
Utilizing the Easterner's preference for Champion Warfare, Marcellius set apart a small arena and challenged Bai Qi to a duel. Whoever loses will have to submit to the winner. Despite the warnings of his subordinates, Bai Qi accepted the duel and rode out to meet Marcellius with only a token escort. "Those savages dare not break the sacred laws of a duel or the gods will punish them," he reportedly said.
Thing is, Romans didn't believe in Qin gods, and neither do they have any qualms about backstabbing people.
There was no duel. The moment Bai Qi stepped into the ring, a score of Legionaries rushed and lynched him, driving a dozen gladius into the general before he managed to reacted. Marcellus sent his bloody head back to the Qin encampment, demanding that the invaders surrender immediately.
As expected, the Qin soldiers rushed the Roman encampment to avenge their general. The ensuing chaos resulting in massive casualties on both sides, but the Romans had the advantage of defending, as well as a wide array of never seen before weapons such as Scorpio, Onager, and well as superior discipline.
New Rome lost 5 Cohorts in the battle, while Qin had only 2000 men left standing at the end. The battle became known as the Battle of Justice, and the town where it was fought was named 'Libra*' to commemorate the prevalence of justice over the invaders. Over time, it would be shortened to simply 'LB' before evolving into 'El-Be', but that's a tale for another day.
Knowing that they couldn't win, the Qin soldiers retreated towards the coast, only to find that 3 Cohorts of Roman soldiers, dispatched from the garrison on the Western side of Dumas Mountains, had taken their landing site and put their navy to flight. Stranded, the Easterners had no choice but to surrender.
The 20,000 strong invasion army was all but eliminated. Capitalizing on their adversaries defeat, the Romans sallied forth from their defensive positions, marching westward and captured the crucial port city of Proptor. With the help of the local inhabitants, the Romans started building their first fleet, mainly trireme similar to those used back in the Roman Empire.
IC -1145
The Qin Emperor finally recognize New Rome as a threat and declares total war against them. Hundreds of thousands of troops from all over the Empire mobilizes. The Romans respond by raising even more Legions, but there was a limit of how many soldiers their small population could support.
IC -1142
Battle of Blue Sea. The fledgling New Rome navy clashes with Qin navy. Both sides brought numerous innovations from both civilizations to arms. The Romans used rams, Harpax, and ballistae while Qin brought huge junks, Pyro's flame stolen from the Southern Islands, and fire-ships, a new innovation designed to destroy numerous enemies at the cost of one friendly ship.
In the end, the Roman navy was defeated and Qin gains control over the Blue sea once more. The port town of Proptor fell after a lengthy siege by sea. Numerous atrocities were committed in the sack, with its inhabitants sold into slavery or killed for sport, and the city razed to the ground as an example of what happens to cities who betray the Qin Empire.
IC - 1140s
The War for Wine reaches its apex, with the Romas being pushed back on all fronts. Although they had better equipment and techniques, they were also heavily outnumbered. For every foe they fell, three more would take his place. Thus the Romans had no choice but to turn to the Haryo tribe, a group of outcasts who lives in the western deserts. These demihumans excel at sabotage and espionage, and were deployed en mass behind Qin lines to slow down Qin advances. In return for their efforts, the Haryo were accepted as undercover spies working directly under the New Rome consul, a tradition which continued throughout the ages unbeknown to all but the highest-ranking officers.
Despite all their efforts, the Romans still find themselves on the brink of defeat. Only a miracle would save them now.
IC -1138
A timely miracle actually happens, although many others would call it a curse. The Small Ice Age strikes the continent, freezing the land and forcing the Qin empire to call off the attack. For a dozen years, the land suffered under a harsh blizzard that swept down from the North.
As with it's stronger cousin millenniums ago, the Ice Age heralded an Age of Conflict, prompting the rise of both heroes and villains, fortune and tragedy, and the rise and fall of kingdoms.
Sorry for the long wait! Seeing how the fandom died down a bit with the virus slowing down, I promise to update more frequently, although maybe with filler chapters. See ya next time!