"Hmm!"
After hearing Animusfia's answer, Nero nodded with satisfaction.
She then looked at Lutecia, which had been reduced to ruins, and the disfigured banks of the Seine.
"...It turned out to be such a tragic situation..."
Although he knew this was a naive idea, Nero still wanted to enjoy the scenery of Gaul after the battle.
Especially this city of Lutetia, Nero had already heard about the beautiful scenes on the plains before Animusphia arrived.
But now Lutecia has become a ruins covered with dead bodies and broken walls.
Fortunately, not many soldiers died under her and Animusfia's command. Most of them were the defenders on Octavian's side and the people in Lutetia————
Even that was enough to depress Nero.
If possible, she would have stayed in Lutecia for a few days.
Animusfia silently shook her head as Nero turned his gaze to the ruins of the city that he had caused.
This time, Lutetia still had a longer way to go if it wanted to develop into Paris, which would later become one of the world's central metropolises.
Even if the landscape of Lutetia will return to its original state after the singularity is repaired, the people who died now will still die in various other ways.
Perhaps it was an epidemic, perhaps a natural disaster, or perhaps there was no time to surrender before the Germans invaded Paris.
"It depends on General Boudica and her soldiers to help the remaining residents rebuild their homes. I will also urge Lord Seneca to follow up on this matter. Your Majesty, you don't need to worry."
"Hmm, but do these soldiers also want to stay here with Lord Boudica? If Lord Boudica can't, at least they participated in the war————"
Animusfia shook her head helplessly and continued.
"I'm afraid there are still some organized armies left in Germania. Our logistics can still survive in the relatively well-developed province of Gaul, but if we cross the Rhine and go deep into the Black Forest, we may not be able to sustain it. Therefore. We cannot attack them directly, and we cannot let down Gaul's defenses either."
Nero nodded, indicating that he understood what Animusfia meant.
"Furthermore, in Germania we probably won't be able to conquer the Germanic provinces as smoothly as we did in Gaul. Since the time of Lord Octavian, it has not been an easy-to-control area. So this return to Rome is not just about It’s about celebrating victory and also preparing for our next battle.”
"So...the army must stay here...I know..."
After hearing Nero's words, Animusfia was a little dumbfounded and continued:
"But not all of them need to be stationed here. Your Majesty, you can also choose a unit of your choice to return to Rome with you and me."
"Is that so?"
"It doesn't matter if it's just one, Your Majesty. Besides, I've never seen——"
Animusfia spoke in a long tone.
"What have you never seen before?"
"I have never seen [Imbelado]'s triumph without an army, Your Majesty. What's more, you are still so orthodox as Augustus that you can no longer be orthodox, aren't you?"
Nero's eyes glowed again.
However, Animusfia's expression was somewhat more complicated.
In this unique point of crisis, it is not just human restraint that helps Animusfia and others like France did at that time.
[Rome] is also redeeming itself.
It was this that forced Goetia and the others to use Roman emperors or ancestors to disintegrate Rome.
The previous Nero actually lost his fighting spirit after the Guards were completely wiped out and he was expelled from the Senate.
Even Animusfia's words of encouragement could not bring Nero back to the confident state when she first ascended the throne.
Nero was not a qualified and successful "ruler".
So when she began to doubt herself, no amount of glib words could make Nero regain his confidence.
There is no way for people to deceive themselves. Even if they can temporarily suggest themselves, they still have to face the problem itself.
If you don’t believe it, you don’t believe it. If you can’t do it, you can’t do it.
However, [Rome] will only grant "emperor's privileges" to the rulers of Rome.
Even Nero herself has doubts about herself. After becoming confused, her privileges will of course decline exponentially, and will increase as her confusion deepens.
This is why Animusfia felt that Nero's magic power was declining.
Therefore, Animusfia originally planned to eliminate the Roman monarchs summoned by Goetia as soon as possible, and defeat them before Nero's "privileges" were usurped by others.
Even if Nero has a gap as a container, the efficiency and speed of adding magic power only need to be greater than the loss of magic power.
Octavian was obviously aware of this - but he did not choose to treat the symptoms rather than the root cause like Animusfia.
Since Nero was very upset about the name "Augustus" and the fact that he wanted to be enemies with the ancestors of Rome.
Then it would be better to simply give her that name and recognize the struggle she will carry out.
This was undoubtedly effective, and Nero was now deservedly the "Augustus" of Rome.
Perhaps nothing could be more authoritative than the personal admission of Gaius Octavius Augustus.
However, Animusfia felt a little worried about gains and losses.
This means that Nero is no longer the "Imbelado" who can only rely on him and belongs to him alone.
Although it was just an expedient measure for Animusfia to continue Nero's fighting spirit and confidence, Nero who had always relied on him had indeed given Animusfia a lot.
The feeling of being trusted, the feeling of being relied on.
This was an experience that Animusfia had never experienced before.
To a certain extent, it was Animusfia who was unwilling to let go.
But Animusfia also knew in his heart that he could not do this forever.
If that were the case, he would also be one of the murderers who destroyed Rome.
What could be more harmful to the country than a sycophant favored by the emperor?
What's more, even without the existence of Animusfia, the world will still be saved by Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Even without the existence of Animusfia, Nero was able to cope with this world crisis and finally win.
In the final analysis, this is just Animusfia's wishful thinking and wanting to participate in their battle. As an unrelated person, she also wants to be a part of this epic.
It's simply unreasonable.
His participation may instead affect the world that has been stabilized and saved.
It was as if others had already obtained an excellent and correct answer, but it had nothing to do with Animusfia.
But in order to let herself participate in it, in order to make herself one of the praised ones, Animusfia forcibly intervened in the original calculation and added something of her own.
It may make the calculation more complex and obscure, and even lead to a failure to get the correct solution in the end.
Animusfia is gambling with the future of all mankind.
He is the most hateful person.
But Nero was different.
Nero would eventually return to his role in history, a king who, though not a wise man, was indeed a king.
Nero may still have doubts about whether he is a qualified ruler, but he will no longer be confused when facing other Roman emperors, even Romulus.
The magic power that no longer flows slowly is enough to prove all this.
Unlike Animusfia, who could do nothing, Nero was a heroic spirit who could enter the Hall of Valor on his own.
What would it be like if people like him were to tie up the future of heroic spirits?
After all, Nero is the master, and Animusfia is just a servant.
Even the followers were only half. The one who really deserved to be summoned by Nero should be Zhou Yu, the well-known governor who led the army during the Three Kingdoms period.
Animusfia smiled and then said to Nero:
"Although we have to return to Rome, the continuous fighting and marching for several days are also very tiring for the soldiers. We will rest here for a few days. If you really want to enjoy the surrounding scenery, I can also take you You go and take a look around.”
"Oh! Governor, have you ever been to Gaul?"
"Well, I don't think I've been here, but I've definitely been here. If I insist on being precise————I haven't been here yet."
Animusfia thought about it for a while and then said.
"Uh-huh, you're saying something I don't understand again."
Nero was almost used to Animusfia's way of speaking.
He always didn't like to tell the whole story. Although he was here and the time he spent with Nero was not short, he never revealed who he really was.
A Serisian, a future person, the leader of Chaldeas, a magician, let’s call him Animusfia.
These are admittedly Animusfia's self-introductions, but they actually cannot represent him who actually stood in front of Nero.
Just like a pottery model must be made before casting a bronze statue, what Nero always saw was the injection mold wrapped around the bronze statue, not the bronze statue itself.
Nero wanted to know more about him.
Some faint flashback fragments disappeared before Nero's eyes, which seemed to be Animusfia's past.
But when she wanted to see more clearly, those fragments were blurred.
........
But Nero believed that as long as he continued to stay by Animusfia's side, she would always understand.
Or maybe Animusfia's past doesn't matter at all.
He was by Nero's side now.
that's enough.
"What do you think? Your Majesty, would you like to take a look around?"
"Hmm!"
Animusfia gave Boudica a look, and Boudica nodded slightly to indicate that the follow-up cleaning work of the battlefield could be left to her for the time being.
After receiving Boudica's affirmation, Animusfia turned to look at Nero:
"Then let's go, Your Majesty."
*********************
Along both sides of the Seine, Animusfia and Nero walked unhurriedly toward the upper reaches of the Seine.
They had been setting out for about half an hour, and the smell of blood in the air gradually disappeared.
After just walking a distance of less than ten kilometers, everything that happened on the battlefield before seemed as blurry as what happened a long time ago.
He was clearly fighting a life-and-death battle just now, but now he was leisurely walking along the river bank.
The slanting afternoon sun shines on you, and the bright atmosphere unique to sunny afternoons permeates the surroundings.
A strong sense of unreality surrounded Animusfia and Nero.
It's like a dream.
Animusfia took a deep breath of humid air mixed with earthy smell. Except before it rained, this kind of smell could only be smelled on both sides of the river bank.
It is difficult to see such a scene in Chaldea, which is covered with ice and snow all year round.
As for the last time he had almost no rest in Animusfia, France, his nerves were tense the whole time and he didn't have time to fully appreciate the scenery.
For Animusfia, this was a long-lost leisure.
"It's so nice, the scenery in Gaul."
Nero followed Animusfia, squinting his eyes to enjoy the breeze blowing on her face.
“Your Majesty, speaking of——————————”
Animusphia prepared to mention the subsequent war arrangements to Nero.
"Governor."
As if he had anticipated what Animusfia wanted to say, Nero interrupted Animusfia's words.
"Yu, I hate war."
Animusfia opened her eyes slightly at first, and then smiled.
"Me too, Your Majesty."
"What, your expression~, is it weird for Yu Hui to say that?"
Nero approached Animusfia with some dissatisfaction.
"No, how could it be? No normal person would like war."
Animusfia shook her head honestly and dumbfounded.
"Ah, that's right. After all, Yu is a demon who can burn down the tyrant of Rome and even kill his own mother and brother. That's why he likes killing and war."
Nero said teasingly.
It seemed that although she said she was letting go of history in Animusfia's opinion, the girl still had some opinions on the history that criticized her.
"History can only be based on reasonable conjectures based on clues, Your Majesty. No historian will know what you were thinking when you gave the order."
Animusfia paused and then said:
"And your history was [erased] by the Senate. It is not impossible that future generations will smear you."
"Hmph, as expected, it's still possible for Yu to do those things, right?"
"...Of course this cannot be denied."
Animusfia, who followed the spirit of science, said matter-of-factly.
Nero's expression became increasingly grim.
"but----------"
Animusfiya's conversation suddenly changed.
The breeze that had been blowing quietly on both sides of the river suddenly became stronger, and the weeds on the plain that were neither high nor low were undulating.
There was also a rustling sound coming from the woods not far away.
"I believe you would never do something like that, Your Majesty."
Animusfia smiled and said it very calmly.
.......
Nero was unable to say anything for a while.
.......
In the end, he could only look away, lower his head and whisper with a blush.
"cunning."
"I trust you so much, Your Majesty. If this can be considered cunning, I will cry."
Animusfia said with a cry.
"Ah————, I didn't mean that!"
Nero raised his head hurriedly, but could not see any tears.
On the contrary, Animusfia was the only one who looked interested but half-smiling.
"Hey! So cunning!"
Realizing that he was being teased again, Nero gently hit Animusfia on the back.
"You dare to play tricks on Augustus of Rome. You should be crucified - you are already a Roman citizen... Then you can only reluctantly be beheaded."
Nero nonchalantly arranged the death of the two saints who died at her hands on Animusphia.
"His Majesty."
Animusfia said suddenly.
"What's wrong? You're such a rebellious minister."
Nero stopped what he was doing.
"Can I take back what I said before?"
"Don't take it back!"
Nero began to attack Animusfia's back again.
"So, Your Majesty, you are the Augustus of Rome, right? In that case, even if you hate war, you should face it, right?"
Animusfia finally came to an end.
"...Isn't I still your Ibrato?"
"You are no longer just my Inbrado."
After hearing this, Nero wanted to refute, but he didn't know where to start.
"You just returned to your original identity, and I am just one of your many subjects, nothing special."
Nero suddenly felt that she seemed to have made a wrong choice.
Animusfia bowed respectfully to Nero.
Nero suddenly noticed that the distance between her and Animusfia had finally been shortened, and Animusfia was once again pulling away.
The invisible and tragically thick barrier appeared again.
"Yes...I promised Octavian...I promised him."
"Yeah...I have to face this."
"Although I like the performances of gladiators, and although I admire the duel between warriors...but I absolutely don't like killing...How could I destroy those beautiful arts with my own hands... ..”
"But you are Augustus."
"Yes! That's why I followed you here...to fight against Caesar...to fight against Octavian, sacrificing the lives of the soldiers and the lives of the people - just because I am Augustus!"
Nero suddenly said loudly.
........
"It's too heavy, it's too heavy, Governor. No matter the soldiers, the people, Spartacus, or Octavian! I don't want them to die at all."
After a brief silence, Nero said this slowly and in a low voice.
"But you finally chose to bear all this. I am proud of you, Your Majesty."
"Governor, is this the role Augustus should have? Should he be lonely, aloof, and willing to sacrifice everything to protect Rome?"
Animusfia didn't answer.
"That's it...I understand. I will not let you down, Governor. I will definitely play the role of Augustus you want————"
Nero's tone returned to normal again.
"But you also said...Yu Ye can also rest, right? Governor."
Looking at Nero's almost pleading eyes, Animusfia finally sighed.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Nero walked up to Animusfia quietly, took his right hand, then leaned slightly behind Animusfia, and then said softly.
"So now, just here, can I not be Augustus for a little bit?
.......
"Um."
