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"At present, those calling themselves the emperor of the Roman Alliance have been conquering our Rome. And the damage they have caused is severe..."
"So, I have a favor to ask of you and your Chaldea. If you share my will, how about joining me in conquering the Roman Alliance...?"
Honestly, there was no reason for us to refuse Nero’s request. From the start, Flauros was in the Roman Alliance, so we had to take him down anyway. That was what Romani said.
-We’re fine with that, Your Majesty. Our goals are the same.
"Is that truly so!?"
Nero’s expression brightened as she spoke.
"Then I am truly grateful! Foreign mage!!"
"Well... our goals are the same to begin with."
Oh, right.
I asked Romani where the ley line was here.
"Romani."
-What is it, Juhwan?
"Could you find out where the ley line flows around here?"
-Hmm... just a moment.
A few minutes later, Romani said,
-Search results say it’s around Mount Etna.
"Thanks for checking, Romani."
-Ahem... think nothing of it.
I then told everyone,
"We need to set up a terminal point first, so let’s make Mount Etna our first target."
Hearing that, Nero seemed to remember something and said,
"Ah... so that Magus was there, then..."
Anyway, that was how a cooperative relationship with the Roman Empire was formed. And this emperor even gave me the position of temporary Roman governor.
I silently shouted, "Rome!!!!" And when I looked outside, it was already deep night.
"Hmm... it’s already late. Shouldn’t we be going to sleep soon?"
"Mm... yes, that is true. You have all worked very hard today, foreign mage. Go inside and rest. I shall retire as well. We can think about tomorrow tomorrow."
With that, the night grew late, and we decided to go to our own rooms and sleep.
I thought, Why are these two following me? and said to Tonelico and Charlemagne,
"You both worked really hard today too. Go get some rest."
"Are we not your Servants? Protecting you is our purpose."
"Charlemagne is right, Master."
I pushed the two of them back and said,
"It’s fine~. We’re in the middle of enemy territory, aren’t we? It’s not like the enemy would come looking for us... Don’t worry about it and go do your own thing."
"But..."
"I said it’s fine~."
So I sent the two of them back to the room with the Servants, returned to my own room, and threw myself onto the bed.
"Hup!! Still, being alone is more comfortable~. Wow... this bed is really soft... Haa... I’m so tired today too... I should sleep quickly..."
And so I fell asleep.
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"...Thirsty..."
While I was sleeping, I woke up because I was thirsty. The moment I opened my eyes, Lucius covered my mouth.
"Oh dear. First, I’m sorry about this, but I need you to stay quiet."
"Mmph...!!"
I thought, What the hell are you doing here!?
"Be quiet, foreign Master. If you keep your mouth shut, I will not harm you. I stake the title of Emperor of Rome on it."
"Mmph!!"
I thought, What bullshit are you spouting? Untie me already!!
"Haa... sorry, but sleep a little longer..."
With that, Lucius knocked me unconscious.
I thought, So this is what happens when you let your guard down...
And just like that, Lucius kidnapped me and took me to Mount Etna.
--------------------------
The next day, morning came. Tonelico went to Juhwan’s room to wake him.
Knock knock
"Master? Can you hear me? It’s morning now, Master."
-...
Something’s... off... There’s a faint mana reaction left behind... Tonelico thought that, then spoke again.
"Master!? If you’re awake, say something!"
When there was no response, Tonelico opened the door.
"I’m sorry! Master! Since you won’t answer, I’m coming in by force!"
Bang!
"!!!"
When the door opened, Juhwan was nowhere to be seen. The window was wide open, and a single letter had been left behind.
"This is..."
Tonelico opened the letter, and its contents were shocking.
-Sorry, but I have kidnapped your Master. If you want him back, come to Mount Etna, Tonelico.
-Lucius
"...What... is this...?"
Tonelico called everyone over. Then she explained the situation from beginning to end. After she finished, Romani said urgently,
-I-Is that really true!? Tonelico!? Juhwan-kun was kidnapped!?
Hearing that, Mélusine, who was standing nearby, shouted,
-Doctor!! Send me there right now too!!! The Master is in danger!!!
-Calm down first... Mélusine... And Tonelico, could you show me the letter?
"Yes... Romani... Can you see it?"
-This is...!
Everyone read the letter.
"Good grief... for me to make such a blunder... I have no excuse."
"Senpai! We have to save Juhwan-senpai!"
Ritsuka said in a trembling voice.
"First, calm down... Mash..."
After a few minutes of silence, Mash suddenly noticed something odd and said,
"But this letter specifically names Tonelico...?"
Tonelico, catching on roughly, said,
"Could it be... because of what I said to Lucius back then...?"
Tonelico could guess the reason. What she had said to Lucius had wounded his pride. Anyway, the enraged Nero said,
"It cannot be helped. We shall immediately organize the Roman army and go rescue Juhwan-kun!"
Hearing that, Charlemagne said,
"But if we leave here, the Roman Alliance army will advance this way, Emperor Nero."
"Grr...!"
Then Charlemagne, as if an idea had struck him, said,
"Hmm... then how about this? Ritsuka takes the Servants and goes to rescue Juhwan-kun."
"You mean we should rescue him with an elite strike team?"
Hearing Tonelico’s question, Charlemagne said,
"Exactly. Tonelico, Emiya and I will defend Rome, while you, Ushiwakamaru, and Mash—three of you—will reclaim the Master."
After taking a breath, Charlemagne spoke again.
"So, what do you think of this plan, Emperor Nero?"
Hearing that, Nero said,
"Hmm... for now, it is not a bad plan... Does anyone else have another proposal?"
When no one answered, Nero spoke again.
"Then for now, Tonelico, Mash, Ushiwakamaru, and Ritsuka will reclaim Juhwan!! And I, Charlemagne, and Emiya will defend Rome. Is that acceptable, everyone?"
-Nod.
Everyone agreed to the plan. And so, Ritsuka set out for Mount Etna with Tonelico, Ushiwakamaru, and Mash to rescue Juhwan.
---------------------------
And so I was kidnapped to Mount Etna.
I thought, I really never expected to get kidnapped in my life...
While I was thinking that, Lucius opened his mouth.
"What this Rome desires is simple."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"You will form a temporary contract with this Rome and defeat the one called Tonelico! I cannot forgive the insult that person hurled at me back then!"
I thought, Why the hell did this turn out like this!? You’re telling me to betray Human Order!?
So, utterly dumbfounded, I said,
"And if I refuse...?"
"Hmm..."
After thinking for a moment, Lucius said,
"Then I will kill you. I will kill you, and according to our promise, this Rome will vanish along with you."
I thought, Haa... is there really no choice...? Wait, do I seriously have to become enemies with Chaldea?
"For the record, if you do not sincerely help me, I will kill you and this Rome will vanish as well."
I thought, Damn it... is there really no choice...?
In the end, I accepted Lucius’s proposal for the time being.
I thought, Well... it feels like it’s about time to train Ritsuka anyway... and with that thought, I completed a temporary contract with Lucius. After the contract was made, Lucius said one thing.
"Then I am in your care. Master of Rome."
"Haa... for now, I’ll be in your care too, Lucius."
I thought, I’m losing my mind... And just like that, I became a temporary Crypter.
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