Chapter Thirty-Four

We arrived in the city of Mediolanum days later and in passing I noticed there were a high number of soldiers in the city. Nero explained to me that Mediolanum was where many of the frontline soldiers came for rest and relaxation. She went on to add that Mediolanum was a fallback point if the defenses in the mountains were ever broken and housed a large legion who guarded the city. It was also apparently a place where supplies were kept to feed and support the frontline troops, so it was critical that this city was protected. I told her if only the supply lines were as well protected as this city was and Nero let out a sigh.

Following our arrival in Mediolanum it was only a day later when we rode into the expedition camps at long last. The journey itself had taken almost a week, and the path to the Roman defenses had been a winding road going through a valley made up of steep cliffs and mountains that were covered in heavy woodland. I think I had even spotted some snow covering the mountain peaks, and given the choice I'd rather be up there then down here sweating my ass off. Upon reaching the camp we found there were several hundred men lined up in rows waiting. Behind the rows upon rows of Roman soldiers were hundreds of tents that accompanied them. The camp itself was situated in one of the wider parts of the mountain pass with cliffs flanking it on either side. I know Nero had said that the landscape was rugged and impassable, but this camp seemed like it was just a massive killbox. If a determined enough individual had wanted to scale up the mountains and get behind us they could just as easily shoot down at us from above. We'd be helpless against such an attack and it made me wonder why the enemy hadn't tried it themselves, it's something I would have to bring up with Nero later. Right now though we were getting closer to the camp and Nero pulled ahead of us and rode up to the front of the massive group of men waiting for her. She proceeded to head to one end of the first row before trotting to the other end and back again before pulling back on the reins of her horse bringing it to a stop in the middle of the soldiers. Nero turned the horse to face them and placed her hand on her chest before taking a deep breath.

"Ego sum Nero Claudius imperator!" Nero proclaimed loudly. "Dabo tibi honorem me audiendi, et attende!" Nero announced. The rest of us had stayed back and listened to Nero from behind, but even from back here we could still hear her. "Expeditio Gallicana milites, incipias a te indefesso labore pro me, civibus, et Roma meis gratias labores, multis cicatricibus inflictos, multas noctes vigilias omnia per multos menses contra indefessa proditorum catervas ante limen tolerasti, qui agros nostros diripire ac Romam tuam perniciem facere volunt." Nero pointed at the walls in the distance. "Gratias autem vestros labores hodie pervenerunt ut subsidia expeditionis hodie cum novo Generali supplemento traherem, qui novas opiniones cum pluribus novis sociis habet." Nero said. "Mitto etiam vestrum vulneratum aut debilem Romam, quo recepturi estis remanebunt qui adhuc pugnare possunt, ut in venturo praelio ad hostem repellamus ac amissas terras repetamus." Nero went on. "Nunc igitur cum novo duce ac novis sociis nulla est causa quod amittat proxime proelium mihi est, et Roma vos omnes amatis! Pro Roma!" Nero finishes raising her fist into the air and the valley echoed with applause.

"Listen to the crowd." Mashu observed. "So this must be how charismatic Emperor Nero was at her peak?" Mashu murmured, as she sat on the horse beside me.

"I couldn't understand a word she said, but the crowd seemed to have liked it." I said. It was either that or they didn't want to get executed for not cheering, but I still couldn't speak Latin so for all I knew it was a good speech.

"Probably, it's hard to say. She's so charismatic now, but in her later years…" Roman murmured into our ears. Well Nero's late years were already not far off if this is a year or so after the Great Fire of Rome. "No, never mind. I will stop there, never tell people living in the past about their future. That's our policy." Roman said.

"Well that's what we've been trying to do." I said.

"I know, and sometimes that's hard to do." Roman said.

"...Kyuu…" Four barked.

"Well continue to do your best operatives, if Nero was to ever know how the future would play out things could turn bad really quickly." Olga reaffirmed.

"I know Director, we'll continue to keep our mouths shut." I said.

"I couldn't even tell her the future if I wanted to…" Jeanne murmured.

"What about those History books you're supposed to be reading?" I asked, turning to face Jeanne.

"We haven't reached the Roman era yet in the History books." Jeanne replied.

"You're not there yet, Where did Roman start you off?" I asked in reply.

"We started with the dinosaurs, and we're currently in the early Bronze Age I think." Jeanne answered. "Truthfully, I'm more interested in when we get to French History than anything else." Jeanne scratched her cheek.

"I guess that's to be expected.." I sighed in response.

With Nero's speech concluded, the troops of Nero's expedition that had paused now behind her now moved on, funneling into the camp to relieve the injured and crippled and take their place. That left the four of us behind as soldiers rode past us on horseback or on foot. We watched from atop our horses in silence as the soldiers flooded into the camp, while Nero was off talking with her officers over by the legion gathered in front of the camp.

"Emperor Nero arrived sooner than I expected." An unfamiliar voice was heard, and it didn't belong to our group. I looked around for the voice and was confused at first, but I caught the eye of a redhead woman with a lumbering giant of a man behind her. She must have caught my eye as well. Once more horses passed her by she made her way directly over to us. "You there, young man. You must be the new Praetor I keep hearing so much about." The woman said, stopping before us, with the giant right behind her. Examining the two up close I saw the woman had emerald-colored eyes, with her hair up in a ponytail. She was wearing a white long sleeved buttoned up shirt that exposed her cleavage for some reason, and a short red skirt that was accompanied by black thigh high boots. At her side she had a long sword sheathed, and on her back was a round shield. The towering giant that accompanied her was…. All muscles.

I swung my legs around and hopped down from my horse before proceeding to walk up to her."And you must be Empress Nero's mysterious friend I've been wondering so much about." I said, offering my hand out. "We have you to thank for our ability to communicate with the Empress. If it weren't for you we'd still be lost in the Roman countryside or have made enemies out of everyone by now." I said. The woman looked surprised and let out an awkward laugh, before reaching out to grab it.

"I wouldn't call myself Nero's friend, but yes I'm the one who taught Nero how to speak English." The woman responded as she firmly shook my hand. "I had spoken it once before out in the open, and Nero had overhead me. Once she heard it, she demanded to be taught how to speak the language. She wouldn't stop pestering me about it, so I finally gave in and taught her how to speak it." The woman let out a weary sigh.

"That sounds like her." I chuckled in response. "You said you weren't one of Nero's friends, and you know I wouldn't call myself a young man either." I joked.

"Well based on your attire I'd say you're not from this time period, so I say I must have a thousand years on you at least." The woman responded. "So just be lucky I didn't call you boy." The woman added.

"Fair enough." I said. "So if you're not one of Nero's "friends" who are you?" I asked.

"I'm Boudica, General of the Gaul expedition." Boudica replied.

"Boudica…?" Mashu murmured from behind and I looked back at her before returning my gaze to Boudica. I'm afraid I didn't really know who she was, but Mashu must have an idea who she was. Boudica's eyes turned stern and her expression was serious for a moment.

"Yes Boudica, the "former" queen of Britannia, and as much as I hate to say it, thank you for ensuring Nero's safe passage here." Boudica said, and I nodded my head in reply. "I know even with our patrols, the roads are treacherous and United Roman Empire soldiers that slip past our coastal defenses lie in wait to ambush our supply wagons."

"You can say that again, we did run into an ambush on the way here." I said. "It was suicidal attacking such a mass force, but they did catch us off guard and we lost a few men in the attack." I explained.

"Wearing down a much larger foe is a viable tactic." Boudica said.

"True enough, but we didn't run into any more along the way." I said.

"Well then that must be a sign our patrols are proving effective." Boudica said. "Pardon my manners, I should introduce you to this huge fellow here. This is…." Boudica said and I looked up at the giant standing before me. This guy was bulging with muscles and had scars all over his body. He could slice me in half if he wanted too with the sword sheathed by his side. The guy also looked like he just came back from a BDSM session, as he wore nothing but leather straps and chains accompanied by gauntlets and a pair of gloves. The only armor so to speak of was some armor around his waist, and shoulder pads. The man had no shoes on, and leather armor around his ankles. He did however have a tattered red cape that was fastened around his neck, which stood out against his pale skin. I won't lie, his face was scary with that calm creepy smile he wore, and his wavy blonde hair felt out of place. Nevertheless I attempted to maintain my composure as he looked down at me and smiled.

"Another champion who was invited to the battlefield. You should be pleased, this garden of battle is full of oppressors. The oppressors are committing atrocities as they approach." The man said. "It is time to rise up. Let us battle side by side. You who dare defy this unparalleled tyranny." The man responded, his words incoherent, but understandable. Something about this place being filled with oppressors, and rising up to defy Tyranny.

"Okay then, something about fighting tyranny and oppression. I can get behind that." I said. Well so long as we weren't beheading people or executing families in the basements of their homes.

"Right then… His words baffle me, but I have a feeling…" Mashu murmured from behind.

"That's unexpected, Spartacus hardly ever takes a liking to someone at first sight." Boudica said, sounding surprised. So that man is Spartacus, I didn't know a whole lot about Roman history, but I at least knew who Spartacus was. The man who led a slave rebellion against the Romans in a fight for freedom, only to end up being murdered in the end. His talk about oppressors and tyranny makes sense now, but I just hope he doesn't realize this is the same Roman Empire he fought against while alive. Otherwise we might find ourselves having to fight him. "Actually let me correct myself, he hardly ever takes a liking to someone at first sight, without pouncing on them." Boudica corrected herself. Gee what a relief Boudica.

"Doctor this Giant over here…." I heard Mashu murmur from behind.

"Fouuuuuu…" Four also joined in the murmuring.

"Y-Yes, he's definitely a muscle." Roman murmured into our ears.

"A what?" I murmured.

"I mean a Servant. He's a servant. That's what the reading says and let's leave it at that." Roman said.

"No shit Doctor, I could have inferred as much myself without your readings." Scathach retorted, in a rare lashing out at the Doctor.

"Alright, Alright Lancer." Roman said. "He does not appear to have hostile intentions, so maybe you should ease up a little. Your anxiety levels seem to be…" Roman joked, but before he could finish his statement there was a loud smack heard.

"Okay, but I still can't understand what he's saying. He's obviously talking to us, but what does he mean by "You who defy tyranny?" Do you know Senpai?" Mashu murmured.

"I'm not sure." I responded.

"My guess is he's a Berserker. Yes, he must be… maybe." Roman said, sounding unsure of himself. Before any more secret murmuring could be had, there was an interruption.

"Warrior of the rebellion, give me your name. Let us revolt together against the inhumane empire and shout in triumph under a free sky." Spartacus said.

"My name?" I asked and he nodded his head. "My name is Christopher." I introduced myself by extending my hand out. "I hope together we can crush this re… um crush the evil empire." I caught myself, I had almost made a big mistake. Spartacus looked down at me and for a second I thought he might have caught that mistake, but he proceeded to smile and laughed as he grabbed my hand.

"Ahaha! Very good, let us crush the oppressors together!" Spartacus shook my hand violently, and my bones felt like they were being crushed in my hand.

"You could understand him, Senpai?" Mashu sounded astonished. "He asked for your name? Is that what that was?" Mashu said.

"I mean yeah. He said, give me your name…" I winced in pain.

"I-I see." Mashu said.

"Well with that being said, I suppose this proves that even in this era, stray Servants do exist." Roman said. "For some reason, unlike hostile Servants, there are also those who have free will, stand by their era, and fight. It has been confirmed in two eras. I am sure it will be the case for all the singularities." Roman explained.

"I can only assume the counter force might have something to do with it." Olga suggested.

"That might be it, but I can't say for sure." Roman murmured.

"What about Fuyuki?" I said.

"Yes, if we count Fuyuki, that makes this the third time." Roman said.

"There were a lot less friendly servants in Fuyuki though..." I winced once more. Spartacus finally stopped swinging my entire body up and down and quickly withdrew my hand. I rubbed my hand and moved my hand and fingers making sure nothing had been broken or sprained.

"At any rate, this is encouraging. This way we know we'll have allies in the future." Roman said.

"So we hope." I said.

"Yes, hopefully." Roman.

"Ummm, are you the invisible mage?" Boudica asked all of a sudden.

"Oh my apologies, let me introduce myself. I am Roman, and…" Roman's said but was abruptly cut off.

"And he is not important. I am Director Olga Marie Animusphere and these are my operatives." Olga interrupted Roman. Behind me I heard as Mashu and the others dismounted from their horses and came up beside me.

"I am Mashu Kyrielight, and it's a pleasure to meet you." Mashu smiled, and she offered her hand out. Boudica grasped it firmly and the two shook hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Boudica nodded her head. Jeanne stepped forward and offered her hand to shake.

"It's good to meet you, I'm…" Jeanne said but stopped short. Jeanne must have been ready to say her real name, but realized it before saying anything. "... I'm Saber." Boudica took her hand and shook hands with Jeanne, seemingly not phased by her using her class name.

"I'm Lancer." Scathach offered her hand, which caught me by surprise. The two queens shook hands firmly, both giving respectful nods to the other. Boudica's hand returned to her side and from our side I saw Nero making her way over to us.

"I've heard your names before, news of your exploits travels fast even out here on the frontline." Boudica said.

"Ah Boudica I see that you've become acquainted with the new Generals I spoke of." Nero boasted as she stopped in front of us. "These are my honored guests, and they come bearing fresh ideas. Their combat prowess is also one to behold, they dispatched veteran soldiers like they were nothing." Nero said.

"Oh really?" Boudica said, brow raised.

"Umu, it's true." Nero nodded her head. "Like this one time…." Nero was about to explain but stopped herself all of a sudden and brought her hand up to her forehead. Nero remained silent for several moments and a look of concern swept over most of our faces.

"Your Majesty?" Mashu said.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Boudica said, placing her hand on Nero's shoulder, and Nero looked up in response.

"I-It's nothing, I'm just a little tired after that long journey it seems." Nero dismissed our concerns with a wave of her hand. "Boudica take care of our guests and fill them in on the situation here. I'm going to go lay down for a bit." Nero said.

"Understood, Leave these youngsters to me." Boudica said and I couldn't help but let out an abrupt snicker looking at Scathach. Scathach raised her hand into a fist and proceeded to punch me in the shoulder.

"Owe!" I winced.

"Umu, I'll be counting on you Boudica." Nero said and turned to us. "You all must be exhausted from the long journey as well. So make sure you get some rest." Nero ordered.

"We'll do that, you take care of yourself too, Empress." I said. Nero nodded her head in return before heading off into the camp holding her hand up to her forehead, leaving the six of us standing there by ourselves. Boudica watched Nero disappear into the rows of tents with a frown across her face before turning to us.

"Right then, let me show you around the camp." Boudica said. "Then we can sit down and talk, since I'm sure you have a hell of a story to tell me in comparison to what I have to tell you." Boudica said, and I nodded my head in response.

"Lead the way." I gestured for her to lead us.

Hello there lovely readers. It didn't take me nearly as last time, but still not as quickly as I would have liked. If you want to know when the newest chapters come out, make sure you follow Fated Destiny on Fanfiction to know when its updated and hop on over to my Discord. Anyway, Thank you for reading and for your continued support! If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving a favorite/like. Feel free to leave feedback and reviews in the comments below or tell me what you think I need to improve on. Just a reminder that new chapters of Book Three should release every two weeks on Friday, Saturdays, or Sundays, but that's subject to change.

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