Reinforcements roll in soon: Two more of Nero's Servant generals, Jing Ke and Lu Bu. Apparently they ran into and killed three "emperors" on their way in. I narrow it down to Caesar (again), Germanicus, and, for some reason, Cleopatra. Not a single one of which was a Roman Emperor. Not telling them that, though. Jing Ke just seems so thrilled at having killed an emperor that I can't take that away from her.
But, all the same, it's time to get going. And so we do. After ensuring that all the supply lines have been established, of course.
---
"And then, the coyote just... looks down, and you can just see him think: 'Well, I'm doomed.' And then he falls straight down." Boudica chuckles as I wrap up my attempt to describe Loony Tunes to her. We're riding in her chariot as the legions march forwards.
"So, what
is a coyote?" Boudica asks, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. "I've been meaning to ask that for the whole story you told me."
"Well-"
"General! The cavalry is attacking our flanks! Additionally, an army advances towards us from the front!" a messenger... is that Antonius again? Small world. Well, anyways, he's panting like a dog.
"I'll coordinate the Servants, you coordinate the troops?" I ask, glancing at Boudica. She nods.
"Further, General Lu Bu has betrayed us!"
"What?" Why? Why would he do that? That backstabbing bastard! Ugh. This is what I get for working with Servants whose legends I haven't researched. I turn to Boudica. "Right. Hassan will kill him. Lancer will serve as a wrecking ball against the enemy formation, while Rider and the cavalry intercept the enemy raiders at our flank. That work for you?" She grins, with an intensity and vibrancy usually reserved for the prospect of dead Romans. Taking that as assent, I relay my orders to my Servants.
It's noon, and the hot sun burns down upon us with a harsh and hateful gaze. The army fills the road we march down with a cacophony of thundering feet, all but drowning out the distant clashes of steel and screams of the dying.
'Master. The enemy cavalry has been repelled.' Georgios sends.
'
Good.' I switch my focus over to Hassan. '
Is Lu Bu dead?'
'
Yes, but not by my doing. Lady Jing Ke is truly an assassin without peer.'
Interesting. I'll have to incorporate her more in my future strategies.
'
Solid work. Return to Presence Concealment.' I redirect my focus to Vlad. '
How goes the front line, Lancer?'
'
There's a slight problem, my Master.' he sends back, sounding harried.
'
What sort of problem?'
'
The enemy soldiers are undead. And on fire.' I blink at that one. '
They seem to be the Noble Phantasm of the black-skinned giant who's currently riding at the army's center on a flaming, undead elephant.'
I blink. Zombie Hannibal? I then promptly smack myself upside the head for letting myself think something so utterly asinine. Elephants were a common feature in armies from India, Carthage, and the Persian Empire alike. Largely because they were basically walking siege engines. '
Right. Hold out. Help is on the way.'
Redirect to Hassan, and... '
Servant attacking the front lines with an Army-type Noble Phantasm. Link up with Jing Ke to infiltrate the enemies' ranks and take out their leader.'
'
Understood.'
As Boudica continues to bring the troops to order and receive messengers, I redirect my attention to perhaps the most important field of this battle: Keeping Nero the hell away from it.
'
Kojirou, how goes the distraction?'
'
She's
getting agitated, but still holding in place.'
Good. Xuanzang and Tamamo are both astralized nearby to serve as my bodyguards. Galahad's following behind the chariot on foot, keeping his silence. The servants from the Shapeless Isle were left in Rome, to defend the city in our absence.
'
Master. The front line is secure once more.' Vlad sends after a six-minute wait.
'
Good work, everybody. All threats eliminated.' I send to all my Servants.
---
Tonight, we've set up camp on a hill. Solid view from all sides. Nero insisted we join her in the gaudy pavilion she made us bring along, and she's been yammering away non-stop. I've mostly managed to tune her out, though. Around us, the slaves she insisted we bring along on campaign carry the various dishes about as we recline on dining couches. The very picture of Roman luxury. I try not to betray my discomfort.
"My Emperor! An envoy has arrived from the enemy!" a legionnaire bellows, his flat palm out in a Roman salute. "Should he be permitted in?"
"Certainly!" Nero cheers. "Let him see the glory of the Rome he has betrayed!"
I quickly check with my Servants to make sure that they're all in a position to properly defend, should this prove to be a trick.
The envoy steps into the pavilion. And he looks... modern. A sharply tailored suit girds his form, a pair of fine glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He has long hair, and a stern, regal face. For some reason, something about him reminds me of a few of my old teachers.
"Emperor Nero, I presume?" he asks in flawless Latin. My brow furrows. This man is definitely a Servant. But
which one is considerably harder to place. "I come bearing a message from my king and sole commander, Alexander the Great."
That gets a round of gasps. I think one of Nero's tribunes just
fainted. And, once the shock has subsided, an excited hum rises, every military mind in the entire tent practically squealing at the opportunity to actually meet the man whose brilliance defined all things military for the last four centuries.
"The great conqueror of old has risen as well?" Nero asks, seemingly unaware of her various officers fanboying over our enemy. "And what message has he for us?"
"He desires a conference with you, Emperor Nero. That the two of you may speak of affairs of kingship, and find common cause, or, failing in that, settle this matter of armies between the two of you."
God-Dammit. A fight between a servant and a living human? This is a decapitation strike, pure and simple. If his legendary charisma doesn't win her to his side, he'll overpower and kill her in the trial by champion.
"Very well! Where shall we meet?" Oh, for fuck's sake.
"My Emperor, are you sure that's wise?" I interject. "This is Alexander the Great we speak of. A legendary demi-god. Setting aside his superior tactical acumen, he is most likely more than capable of defeating you in single comb-"
Her backhand catches me across the face mid-sentence, and suddenly, everything is pain. I'm sent flying to the side, catching myself against one of the couches, as she looms over me.
"You forget your place, mercenary." She says coldly, looming over me. "You mistake your contributions for standing in for my genius. You are not the brilliant military leader whose genius has lead this campaign to victory. I am! You are not the one who has cast down every legend who stood against us! I am! You forget, Carlus, that
you work for me, Nero, greatest Roman to ever live! If you ever so much as
think of giving me orders again, I will have you
sold as a gladiator. Do I make myself clear?" She kicks out my legs from under me. "Answer, mercenary!"
"Yes, my Emperor," I choke out, trying to keep my voice level through the seething
rage in my heart. I chance a look around. Galahad and Boudica both look outraged, but hold their tongues while Jing Ke has set her food and drink to the side, looking outright sickened.
"Good." She turns to the Praetorian guard, still standing solemnly at the pavilion's entrance. "Carry him out, beat him, and then take him to the blacksmith's to be fitted with his collar. He needs something to remind him of his place."
"Yes, my Emperor." The two chorus in unison, each seizing me by the arm and dragging me off. I don't struggle. In fact, all my mind is focused on my family, and on why this will all be worth it in the end.
As they drag me away, I see Nero turn back to the messenger, who's staring at her with outright disgust. "When, good legate, and where should this meeting take place?"
Just this, just all of it. I swear I laughed so much I almost cried