Chapter 98: UMU-Emperor Is About to Be Executed?!
"Nero Claudius… is about to be executed?!"
This news was so shocking that both Doctor Romani and Ethan were left speechless.
What?
No way. The Roman Emperor is getting executed?
Judging by how things unfolded in France before, Ethan knew that the beginning wouldn't be smooth, but he never expected to get ambushed right from the start like this?!
UMU-Emperor is about to be executed—how are we even supposed to play this game anymore???
"You all should understand the severity of the situation by now."
Waver furrowed his brows and continued explaining.
"This country has fallen into madness, beyond the comprehension of common sense. The only reason I joined their side was to find a fleeting moment of peace within this dream."
Waver lifted his head, realizing that all eyes were on him—especially Ethan's. The young man's gaze was extremely serious.
Suddenly, the soul of a teacher within Waver awakened.
"Hmm, it seems like you all still have a lot of information you haven't grasped yet. Now that things have come to this, if you have any questions, just ask directly."
He let out a long sigh.
"After all, you lot have already dragged me into this mess. There's no doubt the other side now sees me as a traitor."
A dark figure slowly emerged from the cave, approaching Waver from behind.
"Wait… that…"
Ethan pointed behind Waver.
"I understand your concerns, young man."
Waver, now in full lecture mode, raised a hand to silence Ethan.
"Observation skills are also an important ability for a magus. Accepting reality is something humans must learn as they mature."
Just as Waver was about to continue speaking, the dark figure had already crept up right behind him.
"You're the one who locked me inside, aren't you?!"
"—?!"
Suddenly, a pair of hands clamped down tightly on Waver's shoulders.
Before he could even see who it was, black flames erupted on his vest.
"Stop… stop, Lady!!!"
Within the raging inferno of black fire, Jeanne Alter's face emerged, wearing a sinister, wicked smile.
"Jeanne Alter?!"
"Oiya, looks like Onii-sama is in big trouble now."
Reines stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
"You tricked me by using Master's name to lure me here, then locked me inside, didn't you?! You damn magus!!!"
"Calm down, Lady!!!"
Waver struggled with all his might, channeling his magical energy to resist. Then, as if realizing something, he immediately turned his head toward Reines.
"This was your plan too, wasn't it?!"
"Don't talk as if I schemed everything, Onii-sama. This is just a misunderstanding."
Reines shrugged, putting on an innocent expression.
"Jeanne Alter, stop!"
Seeing Waver's long, silky black hair about to catch fire, Ethan immediately shouted.
"Master——?!"
Jeanne Alter's terrifying gaze wavered slightly upon hearing Ethan's voice.
But the moment she spotted Reines, her eyes narrowed sharply, and she tightened her grip on Waver once more.
"These two tricked me! They said Master had asked them to come assist and told me to follow them first. But when we got here, they sealed off the cave and trapped me inside!"
"I never deceived you. Besides, isn't your Master right here now?"
Reines smiled leisurely.
"Then why did you take advantage of my moment of carelessness to lock me in?"
"I didn't lock you in. The cave's defense magecraft activated on its own, sealing off the entrance. This magecraft is designed to automatically trigger when it detects a powerful source of magical energy."
As if to prove her point, Reines stepped into the cave. Immediately, the defensive spell was triggered.
A transparent barrier materialized, completely sealing off the cave entrance.
"Trimmau."
At Reines' command, Trimmau—her ever-loyal servant—raised its arm, transforming it into a sharp blade and slashed at the barrier!
Clang!
The barrier flashed brightly and thickened instead of breaking.
However, the moment Reines withdrew Trimmau, she effortlessly walked through the barrier as if it weren't even there.
"See? It's just a basic defensive barrier. Even Modern Magecraft from the El-Melloi faction teaches this type."
Watching Reines demonstrate the mechanism, Jeanne Alter still refused to let down her guard.
"Hmph, even so, I still can't trust you."
"Jeanne Alter!"
Ethan spoke firmly.
"They're not our enemies. I really did ask her to come and assist you. Besides… she's our new ally."
"I'm just like you, summoned to this place by Master. A pleasure to meet you, Black Avenger."
Reines lifted the hem of her dress slightly, curtsying like a proper noble lady.
"What… You were summoned by Master as well?!"
"Indeed, Jeanne Alter-san."
Reines smiled softly.
"Let's get along, shall we?"
"…Hmph, I have no interest in getting along with a scheming woman like you."
"Don't say that. But first, can you release my Onii-sama? He doesn't look too well."
Seeing that Waver was on the verge of collapse, Romani panicked.
"A-a-ah! Hurry, administer first aid! Hang in there, Lord El-Melloi!!!"
"It's… 'El-Melloi II'…"
After struggling to correct Romani, Waver finally passed out.
...
"So, the ancient Roman Empire has been occupied by something called the 'Roman Allied Forces,' and the true Emperor—Nero Claudius—is about to be executed?"
Romani summarized the situation based on Waver's explanation.
"That's right. By the time I was summoned to this era, the Roman Empire had already fallen. To survive, I joined the army of one of the current ruling kings."
Now recovered, Waver leaned against the cave wall. He snapped his fingers, and the campfire before him flared up.
"It's hard to believe… The mighty Roman Empire, reduced to this?"
"I thought the same at first. But humans can't win against Servants. No matter how brave Nero was, even if she led her army into battle personally, in the end, she was captured."
Saying this, Waver pulled out an ornate cigar case, took out a cigar, and used a specialized cutter to trim its tip.
"It seems the anomaly of this singularity lies here. The ancient Roman Empire was once the heart of the world itself. It was the greatest empire in human history. If it collapses, the flow of history will undoubtedly be severely altered."
"If your goal is to restore this world… then I'm afraid you're already too late."
With a small pulse of magical energy, Waver lit his cigar and took a deep, slow drag.
"Rome is already under the control of the 'Roman Allied Forces.' Once Nero is executed, the fate of this world will be sealed."
He exhaled a thick plume of smoke, letting it swirl lazily around him.
"…There's no saving it."
"No, there's still a way."
Ethan declared resolutely.
"Oh?"
Waver's sharp gaze locked onto Ethan.
"You mean… to rescue Nero Claudius?"