"Hmm… the Rayshift itself seems to have been a success."
There were no signs of anyone specifically 'pulling' us, and since we weren't surrounded by hostile Servants upon arrival, it didn't seem to be a trap.
[Bzzt… bzzzt… Do, do you hear me?]
"Yeah, this is the Chaldea Advance Team Master, Karma Kirigaya. A Berserker Servant shouting about oppression has just appeared before me. Tell Dr. Romani that the Old Man of the Mountain, Hassan-i-Sabbah, who tolls the evening bell, will soon be visiting his stash of sweets."
[I'm glad you're safe.]
"What about Ritsuka?"
[For now, there are no issues over there either, but the communication is… not… work—]
At that moment, the transmission was cut off with a sharp snap. I found myself staring at a massive man grinning broadly at me, and a woman watching me with a subtle, complicated expression—someone who, in many ways, possessed a very 'generous' heart.
"So… who are you people?"
[Ooh, look at this small oppressor leading those persecuted by greater oppressors. This one is an oppressor. And a very formidable one at that!]
Spartacus, his voice steadily rising in volume, suddenly picked up a massive mace and leveled it at me.
[Oppression! Oppression! You are an oppressor… Ooooooh! You look as if you are sprinting through countless layers of tyranny, but ultimately, you seek a different kind of oppression where others are placed beneath you! I embrace such an oppressor with intense love! To make everyone equal, Ooooooooh!!!]
It was, quite literally, a mass of pure muscle.
What writhed beneath his ashen skin began to swell dynamically, expanding as if leather belts and restraints meant absolutely nothing to it.
Just as he was about to swing his mace, a calm and gentle voice broke through the noise.
"Spaku, be a little quiet."
[Oooooh! I cannot, small oppressor! My mission is ultimately to embrace all oppressors responsible for this state of affairs equally! To stand by and ignore this oppressor would be an insult to my very being!!!]
"That's why I'm saying you're wrong. I don't know if this child is an oppressor, but at the very least, he might be a flame of salvation for us—one that resists oppression."
[Ooooooh!! Is that true!! Is it really true!!! Oppressor, those are quite lovely words!!! How beautiful a story it is, that a new flame resisting tyranny has been added!!]
Sending Spartacus to the back for a moment, the woman offered me a hand with a bright smile.
"Hmm… so, I've had my memories backed up by the Counter Force, but is this the right way to greet someone? I am Boudica, the rightful Queen of Britain. What's your name?"
"…I am the Master and Representative of the Human Order Continuation Agency, Finis-Chaldea, Karma Kirigaya. It is an honor to meet you, Queen of Victory."
"Oh, so you know that title… Anyway, if you've come to resolve this Singularity… I think we'll get along. Our goal is also to 'resolve' this Singularity, for now."
"Resolving the Singularity… that makes things easy. Could you tell me about the situation here?"
Boudica nodded, drew her sword, and began to sketch a map on the ground.
"The situation is… how should I put it? It's bad in many ways. Previous Roman Emperors have appeared and declared a new empire, and the current Emperor of Rome, Nero Claudius, has seized the Holy Grail and is running rampant."
"…Excuse me?"
"I manifested as the Queen of Britain and have been taking in refugees in the Brittany region… According to their testimonies, a blood-soaked, madwoman is slaughtering people in the capital and has opened a Colosseum where blood is splattered in all directions. Since she's an Empress who loves pleasure so much… she's likely gone out of control after obtaining the Grail."
"Nero and the Grail… do you have any proof?"
"Ask Spaku over there. He's the one I rescued while he was fighting the United Empire of Emperors."
"I suppose a Berserker wouldn't lie."
Approaching Spartacus, who had been standing quietly, I gave his massive muscles a light tap.
With a sensation akin to touching a smooth boulder, Spartacus whipped his head around to look at me.
[Huff… huff… haa… hooo…]
His eyes, clouded with madness, locked onto me accurately. He stared as if scanning my very being.
[You are trembling! Though the Queen of Victory, that oppressor who protects the weak, told me not to kill you, I am the sword that severs tyranny and the torch of the people that opposes oppressors! It is also my mission to strike down a weakened oppressor!]
"…Right, Spartacus. Resisting oppression is your mission?"
[Of course! Guhuhu, my muscles are crying out! My entire physiology is telling me to love you intensely! I shall embrace you! With my love, I will set you free from the yoke of oppression!]
"Set me free from oppression… That sounds great. Honestly, I'd love to quit this job right now."
[Hmm? Those aren't lies! Then why do you persist in maintaining your position as an oppressor!]
"To fight against oppression."
Yes, if I were to explain it in Spartacus-speak… to fight against oppression.
"The future has been completely incinerated. Everyone has died, and all I have left is a handful of ashes and the few people I managed to evacuate… Regrettably, I happen to be the most capable among them, so I'm standing at the forefront to restore this damn Singularity. Because all the other humans are dead."
[Wuo, wuoooo! Then you mean you did not ascend to that position of your own accord!]
"I never wanted to get involved with this kind of Mystery in the first place! Dammit, killing and playing with people's lives doesn't feel good at all! Mage families? Crests?! They can go to hell! How are magi any different from oppressors, murderers, and madmen?!"
[I see. An oppressor in status, but an apostle whose spirit craves freedom; one accustomed to conflict but loathing battle, possessing an aversion to taking lives. Furthermore, you are resisting the very oppression that ruined this world. You are an oppressor, yet no oppressor at all!]
"I appreciate you recognizing that."
[It is a curious feeling! My muscles tell me to kill you as an oppressor, yet I cannot kill you as a non-oppressor. Protecting a resistor who is not an oppressor with my muscles is the highest joy in its true sense! What is it you desire, Resistor!]
"…To take back the stolen future, of course!"
At that, Spartacus stood up abruptly, hoisting his mace high and shouting.
[Is that so! Helping a comrade who resists oppression is my true happiness and honor! Your existence is much like the Queen, an oppressor who protects the weak! My muscles will gladly protect you and that Queen!]
"…I'd be very grateful for that."
For now, that's Spartacus recruited…
"Besides that, I have something I want to ask, Spartacus."
[What is it, comrade in revolution!]
"Since you're an apostle of the masses who resists tyranny, have you fought other oppressors here?"
[Wuooooo! Of course!!! This land is filled with too many oppressors who persecute the weak!!! To embrace all those oppressors with love is my mission! My existence! I have encountered five oppressors!]
"…Could you tell me what kind of person the 'oppressor' in the capital was?"
[Hmm… there were two oppressors. One was very fat and wore a laurel crown of victory. He was an oppressor who incited many weaklings to persecute others, and I could not bring myself to point my sword at other weak people!]
"And… the other one?"
Then, Spartacus wiped away the madness that had been radiating from him and spoke with a glimmer of reason.
[She was a very dangerous oppressor. She was an evil oppressor with very powerful and alien strength.]
"…What did she look like?"
[Blonde hair and red eyes, carrying a large goblet called a Holy Grail. The Queen of Victory of Britain called that oppressor Nero Claudius!]
…If there's testimony from Spartacus as well, it really means Nero could be the boss of this Singularity… Is Ritsuka okay?
"Ugh, why does communication have to fail at a time like this…"
I really need at least a minimum of cross-verification.
"Umu! Vanguard from the future, the advancement of technology is truly impressive!"
"Don't mention it, Your Majesty… So, who are these enemies?"
As Ritsuka subtly probed for info, Nero replied with a somber expression.
"There are two types of enemies threatening our great Roman Empire. The first is the 'United Empire of Rome'—former great Emperors who have been brought back to life and are now denying the thousand-year history of the Empire!"
"United Roman Empire… Certainly, there was a Heroic Spirit called Caesar earlier."
"That Heroic Spirit likely belonged to the United Empire as well."
"Umu, the one I confirmed was my uncle, Caligula. He appeared to have lost his reason…"
At that moment, Gareth added a comment.
"Emperor Nero, what is the second enemy?"
"…Those who have staged an uprising in the Brittany region. If you are after the Holy Grail, you must probably capture them."
"Brittany… that's where Karma-nii went!"
"Senpai, I'm sure Karma-san will be safe. He survived even that relentless onslaught from Jeanne d'Arc Alter."
"Yeah, Mash. That's definitely true. That old guy will be fine. Then, Emperor Nero, could you tell us who exactly those rebel forces are?"
Nero spoke, a smile on her lips but her voice thick with anger.
"The witch Boudica, self-proclaimed Queen of Victory of Britain, and the rebel Spartacus. Those two Heroic Spirits are foolishly slaughtering refugees who fled there simply because they are 'Roman' or seen as part of 'oppression.'"
"Excuse me?"
"I do not know what they plan to do with the Holy Grail, but considering the Grail's resources you spoke of, they will certainly become an enemy far more troublesome than the United Empire. Furthermore, the reason why they are slaughtering refugees is unknown…"
"U-um…"
At that moment, Mash spoke up timidly.
"Nero-san… no, Your Majesty. I don't mean to doubt you, but do you have any proof…?"
"Proof… Yes, I do. Regrettably."
Nero led Ritsuka, Mash, and Gareth deep into her private chambers within the imperial palace.
Inside her quarters was a small additional room, which Ritsuka immediately intuited was an emergency shelter in case of assassination attempts.
Lying on a soft silk bed was a woman with a sharp impression. Nero looked at her with pity and spoke.
"Her name is Jing Ke, an Assassin. She moved toward Brittany along with the refugees from the battlefield, but she was reportedly attacked by the rebel known as Spartacus. She went to confirm who the leader there was, just in case… and ended up like this."
"…Oh my god, Karma-senpai is in Brittany right now."
"And communications aren't working… what should we do?"
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