The army led by Boudica and Spartacus numbered approximately 3,000 men.
Even so, cavalry and heavy infantry were virtually non-existent; the force was little more than a militia of citizens, lightly armed and lacking any proper training.
Furthermore, the number of unarmed refugees was nearly double that of the combatants. The disparity between them and the forces of the United Roman Empire or Nero's faction was glaringly obvious.
'Of course, I cannot fully trust this Boudica just yet.'
Assuming the worst-case scenario, one could interpret this as Nero having already awakened as a Beast, leaving both Ritsuka and Mash in mortal peril… However, there is also the possibility that Boudica herself possesses the Holy Grail and has brainwashed Spartacus with her own abilities. Until I can perform cross-verification, nothing is certain.
"The United Roman Empire consists of Servants who manifested naturally as Nero went berserk with the Holy Grail. They were likely summoned by the Counter Force of humanity, much like myself… Since this land is defined by the singular designation of 'Rome,' they must be receiving a Fame Bonus."
"That would apply to both you and Spartacus as well… What is their disposition?"
"For now, they are hostile toward Nero… but they are requisitioning citizens and 'remodeling' them into military assets. There must be a Servant among them with a skill for inciting the masses or training soldiers."
"In that case, perhaps joining hands with the United Roman Empire would be—"
In that instant, an overwhelming surge of bloodlust began to radiate from the woman beside me.
It was a malice identical to that of a Demon God Pillar, or the wrathful Jeanne d'Arc in the First Singularity… a viscous, suffocating bloodlust that felt as though it would melt everything in its vicinity.
"…I hope you aren't saying that in earnest?"
"…I misspoke. I apologize."
"It's fine. All humans are capable of making mistakes. As you know, such an alliance is impossible for us. Furthermore, looking at the United Roman Empire's nature, cooperation would be out of the question from the start…"
"And why is that?"
"The goal of the United Roman Empire is, first and foremost, the preservation of 'Rome.' How could we ever get along with a group that values Rome more than the Human Order?"
As Boudica spoke, I cleared my throat once and asked a question.
"Are you… truly alright with this?"
"Hmm?"
"The tragedies you suffered are all recorded in history. Knowing that is the history you are protecting… are you truly alright with it?"
"Haha! Are you testing me now? To be honest… I hate it."
Boudica replied.
"I hate it, it's irritating, it's painful, and it's loathsome. That garbage called Rome that slaughtered my family, insulted my husband, and defiled my daughters… How could I ever love the Human Order that defines such a wretched thing as history!"
"…"
"…Even so, I will protect the Human Order. If I were to deny it just because I hate that history, it would be no different from killing my precious daughters with my own hands."
Having said that, Boudica began to trace lines in the dirt with her blade, explaining the Servants of the United Roman Empire.
"First, Caesar, whom I heard about from Spartacus. He's quite famous, isn't he? He's the one inciting the refugees and remodeling them into soldiers. He's very fat and wears a laurel crown, so he's easy to distinguish."
"Since entering the United Roman Empire is impossible, it would be ideal if we could kidnap him and put him to work."
"That might actually be feasible… Next is Caligula. He fights with Spartacus every time they meet; he's likely a Berserker."
"Spartacus should be more than enough to keep Caligula in check. Besides, a revolutionary who kills 'Oppression' is a far easier ally to have than a raving madman."
"An excellent choice. As for information on the remaining three… I'm afraid we have none. All we know for certain is that they are of the Rider and Lancer classes."
It's likely Iskandar and Romulus… and perhaps Leonidas.
"Finally, there is a mysterious Court Magus within the United Roman Empire. Apparently, he was originally a magus in that damn Nero's palace, but he defected to the Empire because he couldn't stomach her tyranny."
"Wait a moment, what did you just say?"
The Court Magus of this era is undoubtedly Lev Lainur Flauros. But he's with the United Roman Empire?
'No, it's not impossible. That's how it was in the original… but in this current situation, there's no reason for that guy to leave Nero's side.'
If the Boudica standing before me were lying, Lev wouldn't need to go to the United Roman Empire; he would just stay with Nero. As a 'Court Magus,' driving Chaldea into a corner would be child's play, and he could even manipulate Nero to launch a counterattack. Conversely, if Nero truly is a Beast… then staying by her side is even more logical. She would take care of the Chaldea group on her own.
'No, that's not right! Beasts are naturally hostile to one another… Wait, does that mean Nero really has awakened as a Beast?'
"…Boudica, where did Spartacus say he last saw Nero?"
"The Roman capital. We tried to head there since we figured it was our first destination… but he said a literal hellscape had unfolded there."
Fine, then it's certain.
"Boudica, from this moment, I shall subject you to a test."
While I usually use it to repair my Mystic Codes, the true power of the Naraka Path is the authority of King Enma, who presides over the Hell of Tongue-Pulling. Anyone who speaks a lie before it will have their tongue pulled out to a length of eight feet and die.
*
To put it simply, Boudica and Spartacus were telling the absolute truth.
[She was blonde, with a seductive appearance, and two reddish lines were carved beneath her eyes. She was clad in blood, having even cast off her clothes—the very image of a true harlot! Oh, what a fearsome yet magnificent pinnacle of Oppression, one that must be embraced by this body!]
"A transformation that truly knows no bottom. An Empress like that cannot be left to her own devices."
…The fact that the truth came out even under the scrutiny of the Naraka Path meant that what Boudica and Spartacus said was reality.
"Very well. Since it is virtually confirmed that Nero is a Beast… we have two strategies to pursue."
"Two?"
"Yes. First, we bring the United Roman Empire over to our side."
Boudica's expression immediately soured.
However, I had my reasons for doing so.
"Boudica, have you ever fought a Beast?"
"…No. If I had experience with something like that, I would have made a far greater name for myself on the Throne of Heroes."
"In my life so far, I have fought an Evil of Humanity twice. Including the current situation, it makes three times."
"What?"
"And based on that experience… even five top-tier Heroic Spirits working together would struggle against a single, incomplete Evil of Humanity."
I had to briefly explain how the Magus Aoko-neesan, myself, all the Masters of that Grail War, and the Servants who participated… how the Lion King who manifested with Saber's Saint Graph, the Wise King who appeared as Caster, Tristan, Iskandar, and Diarmuid fought against that insane mud during the Fourth Holy Grail War.
"If my guess is correct, that Rider you saw is likely King Iskandar, who manifested in that same Grail War."
"Iskandar… the King of Conquerors of Macedonia."
"To be frank, our current Servant combat power is woefully insufficient. Our only option is to gather our forces properly and strike all at once before she fully matures into a Beast…"
[Hmm, I understand! Even if they are oppressors, they are currently weaklings groaning under a greater, truer Oppression! Joining hands with past enemies to defeat a ultimate foe is a magnificent decision, comrade!]
"I appreciate that."
Boudica still looked displeased, but she nodded her head.
"Since the Human Order where my family exists is the priority, I can tolerate that much. However, if those bastards show any hostility toward us, I'll kill them instantly… You have no complaints about that, I assume?"
"Of course. If they value the name of Rome more than the preservation of the Human Order, there is no need to keep them alive."
"Good."
No matter how short we were on power, there was no loyalty to be found in fighting while bracing for a knife in the back. To put it another way, the fact that Boudica could stomach the hated Rome for the sake of the Human Order was a testament to her greatness…
"Spartacus, do you agree as well?"
[Hmm, I do not entirely follow, but if this is the effort of those resisting oppression, then I, Spartacus, who serves as the vanguard and shield of all rebels, have no reason to oppose it!]
After finishing the primary strategy meeting and returning to the tent, I began to organize the storm raging in my mind.
'Anyway, what in the world is going on with this Singularity? If it were Lev Lainur, he should have reduced the entire Singularity to ash by now. Why is only the United Roman Empire moving, and why is their goal to subjugate Nero? It doesn't add up… With the power of a Beast, she could incinerate all of Rome and the Human Order, so a collaborative relationship would make more sense…'
Even Babylonia, which possessed arguably the most glittering Servant lineup of all Singularities, was reduced to a heap of ash due to Tiamat's 'casual' rampage. Except for Gilgamesh, all defensive forces were annihilated, and all Servants who manifested as Divine Spirits were killed. It was utterly decimated.
Compared to Babylonia, our current Servant pool is even smaller—yet Nero is staying quiet instead of pursuing 'Destruction'?
No, perhaps it's for the sake of pleasure… Dammit, at this rate, the fate of Ritsuka and Mash becomes impossible to determine…
"If only I could get a signal from Chaldea… This godforsaken, outdated heap of junk."
While people say no news is good news, right now, I desperately needed to know the status of Mash and Ritsuka, who could be anywhere doing anything.