[FMMIKA] Chapter 337: New Human History of Rome

The so-called wedding was just a gathering where everyone got together and had a good time. They sat down to a feast, exchanged gifts, and then endured the wedding host's awkward banter that made everyone uncomfortable.

Of course, things were a bit different abroad.

In Europe and America, they'd go to a church and have a priest officiate. In Japan, they'd replace the priest with a Shinto priest. As for the Middle East, Arabia, and India, Artorius wasn't too sure, but it probably had something to do with religion. Thinking about it, there didn't seem to be many atheistic countries in the world. The previous world indeed had its problems and big ones.

That was Artorius's perception and understanding of weddings in his previous life.

Of course, Rome was different.

As the emperors, the newlyweds, Artorius and Nero, had to parade through the entire city of Rome, accepting the cheers of the Romans.

As for the customary feast, it was straightforward. Artorius had already treated everyone in Rome. No need to collect gifts; everyone's blessings were the best present.

However, at the same time, he had to make a hefty donation to the temples, making those well-fed priests, who should have exited the stage of history long ago, grin from ear to ear.

This was something he absolutely didn't want to see.

Religious matters were urgent, weren't they?

"Artorius~"

Seeing Artorius lost in thought, Nero gently nudged him, reminding him that they were still in the midst of the wedding celebration. Whatever it was, it could wait until after the ceremony.

As for what it was exactly, he didn't need to spell it out. She wasn't a fool; she immediately understood his thought.

"I'm entrusting this matter to you." Artorius said gently to Nero, causing her to feel both joy and a sense of loss.

This indirectly reminded her that he was truly leaving, leaving all of Rome in her hands.

Understandably, at the following banquet, Nero drank so much—partly because everyone was toasting the emperor—and after the grand celebration and feast, there was a smaller gathering for the Chaldeans—or, in other words, the members of the Pendragonius Empire.

The scale wasn't large, so Artorius felt a bit regretful since he didn't involve his mothers in his wedding. It would have been lively.

But fewer people also had its advantages. With fewer people, the gathering time was shorter, leaving more time for Artorius and Nero.

So when Ritsuka rolled on the ground, starting to act drunk, everyone knew it was about time.

"Ah, damn it, the person I like got married, and the bride isn't me. I'll get back at this cold world!"

"Senpai, you've had too much to drink." Mash said while dragging Ritsuka away. "I'll take Senpai back to the room."

With those words, Mash bowed to everyone and gently excused herself.

"It's about time to enjoy yourselves." Scathach said calmly after Mash and Ritsuka left. Leaving behind that meaningful statement, she stood up, turned, and left.

The last glance she threw at Artorius made him understand that his teacher wasn't pleased either, but she wouldn't vent like Ritsuka, rolling on the ground and blabbering complaints. She'd find another way.

"Another way is another way. I'm not afraid."

Recalling Scathach's embarrassed appearance, unable to harm himself in the slightest during their previous 'bed battle', Artorius's lips curled upward, revealing a pleased smile.

Finally, the last one was Stheno.

"After all is said and done here, looking forward to the next time we meet, Your Majesty."

She spoke with a smile and bowed respectfully.

"The Great and Holy Dragon Emperor, the Great and Holy King of the Gods. It's truly an honor to be your servant and to be under your protection."

"Don't worry." Artorius responded calmly. "I will continue to protect you, and your sisters."

"Our souls belong to you."

With these final words, she also respectfully withdrew.

"Hmm?"

The goddess's behavior puzzled Nero, and she also felt a bit annoyed after hearing the last statement. So she instinctively looked at Artorius, who patted her head and said, "Her situation is related to another world. It concerns the Age of Gods. You don't need to worry about it for now."

"Oh..." Nero nodded, seemingly understanding. Wanting to say something else, she suddenly realized something.

Everyone had left.

Now, only she and Artorius remained.

Did this mean that the most exciting part of the wedding was about to begin?

Although usually very bold and even portrayed many of the court's affairs as showcasing her charm, when it came to the crucial moment, Nero couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.

"Nero..." Artorius said her name and hugged her. "It's getting late; let's rest early."

As Nero got hugged, her face turned instantly red and her voice was like a mosquito. She responded to him but Artorius was unsure if it was an agreement or not.

But whether she agreed or not, he held her and walked towards the bedroom. And in the next few hours, many moans were omitted.

"Artorius~"

Afterward, Nero felt completely exhausted. She couldn't lift half a finger and could only collapse in his embrace, soft. It seemed like she was about to pass out.

In fact, she had already passed out several times before. It was just that she woke up again after experiencing the same euphoric sensation of something large piercing her once more.

But now, she was really done for.

Before falling asleep, her mind was in a mess, and she flashed through everything that happened today. No, not just today, but from a long, long time ago.

When she felt that Artorius might threaten her rule, Nero made a decision.

Send him off with red wine and that was the first time when he refused her.

A very Roman-like court conspiracy, using poison to kill him to maintain her own rule. This was also a kind of Roman tradition.

When the United Rome was solved, it was time to get rid of the worn-out donkey.

Certainly, soon enough, with his outstanding performances one after another, his abilities, strength, and charm would completely conquer the people of her empire.

So the red wine had to be delivered. However, it wasn't poison inside but rather a love elixir.

No, it should be referred to academically as the Elixir of Love.

It was crucial to make Artorius fall in love with herself, to become the co-ruling emperor, only then could Rome be revived and be great again.

However, Nero soon found herself mistaken again.

Artorius had already fallen in love with herself long ago. The love elixir was unnecessary for someone like him. But the issue was that while he loved herself, his love for humanity, for the country and its people, ran deeper, thicker, and more profound.

So, even if she gained his love, he still wouldn't stay in this world.

This made Nero feel quite uncomfortable. She couldn't think of any solution.

She also pondered whether she should strive to catch up, become a ruler as outstanding as Artorius, and thus save Rome.

But the reality proved that, no matter how hard she tried, she could never reach his level of excellence. This left her in despair. She even couldn't help but entertain the thought—If I die like this, will Artorius stay in this world out of sadness and a sense of responsibility, taking on the role of the Roman Emperor?

The red wine remained red wine, and the love elixir turned back into poison. But this time, it wasn't for Artorius, it was for herself.

However.

Sadly.

Soon, Nero realized that even if she did this, even if she schemed like this, she couldn't achieve her goal.

Because Artorius was just too powerful, terrifying, and mighty like Romulus. In that case, her little scheming could never succeed.

'I'm truly foolish.'

'All my schemes must be like jokes to Artorius.'

In the end, the red wine was just red wine and nothing was inside.

In utter helplessness and despair, Nero chose the path of complete obedience to Artorius's will. The love elixir was useless. Even if it succeeded, he wouldn't stay in this world either.

In the time to come, she had to continue bearing the responsibilities of an emperor—even more so after he had pointed out the laid-out path for her.

She had to do more, be more cautious, and be even more exhausted. What was more crucial was that, while doing all this, she was alone and he wasn't there by her side.

"..."

Watching Nero silently weep in her sleep, Artorius gently embraced her.

"You're truly a good girl."

He muttered tenderly while gently stroking her head.

"You're truly a good emperor."

He silently vowed in his heart that he would forever protect her.

===

New Human History, 1st century AD. As Rome entered the imperial era, Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, the fifth emperor of the Julia-Claudian Dynasty, initiated a grand reform to rescue the increasingly corrupt and decadent Rome. This period is known as the Roman New Policy.

Boldly, she appointed officials from the commoner and even slave classes, establishing a comprehensive tax system and abolishing the tax farming system.

She seized land from slave owners, distributing it to the commoners, encouraging and even compelling the residents of Rome to become self-sufficient farmers. Numerous workshops were established, urging Roman citizens to engage in labor. Additionally, she allocated more citizenship rights to the people of other provinces.

She established a fairer legal system, promoted education and science, consistently lowered taxes, emancipated slaves, constructed infrastructure, canals, roads, and initiated reforms in commerce and financial systems. She established a national grain reserve, controlled price inflation, and cracked down on usury.

Under her leadership, the nature of Roman citizenship underwent a significant transformation. It evolved from being the 'power to reside in the city of Rome' to becoming 'a part of the Roman Empire.'

These reforms greatly harmed the interests of the Roman Senate and the major slave-owning class, tax farmers, and usurers.

The Roman Senate declared Nero a public enemy, attempting multiple assassinations that all failed. In response, she announced the abolishment of the Roman Senate and its replacement with a citizens' assembly that supported her.

In the end, a civil war swept through Rome.

Nero emerged victorious, and the reforms continued. However, shortly thereafter, she mysteriously fell ill and died. Seizing the opportunity, the Senate launched a counterattack, leading to a new round of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors.

Nero's reforms thus came to an abrupt end, with most measures being invalidated. Only a few policies continued to be implemented. Her actions were later vilified by historians under the control of the Senate. They destroyed records, defaced sculptures, and distorted history, portraying her as one of the most insane tyrants in Roman history.

Though she failed, this reform dealt a severe blow to reactionary forces, providing a theoretical and policy foundation for future reforms by the Roman people, philosophers, and politicians.

When the next Roman Emperors restored order, Nero's reputation was rehabilitated. The reform measures were documented in historical textbooks. As the truth came to light, movies, TV shows, and novels about her gained popularity.

Her historical status received a significant boost, being considered one of the most capable emperors in Roman history, the first reformist Roman Emperor, and a pioneer of the new Roman Empire. She became beloved and revered by people around the world.

"Compared to those selfish tyrant and self-serving typical Roman Emperors, Emperor Nero's political skills and methods were clearly inferior. She had an excessive romanticism, an idealist. However, it was precisely this idealism that made her stand out. In the midst of a Rome filled with conspirators, villains, and a leaden history, she presented a different shade of crimson."—Commented a famous historian.