[FMMIKA] Chapter 333: Slaying the Demon God

"Father..."

"Huh? Father?" Artorius raised an eyebrow, confused.

Romulus's last words only served as an introduction. As his body could no longer support itself, he transformed into golden light particles and disappeared without a trace.

"Father... What's with this 'father' nonsense? Do you want me to call you 'father', or do you want to call me 'father'? Be clear about it!"

Watching Romulus disappear, Artorius couldn't help but complain loudly. The most annoying thing for him was dealing with people who speak halfway.

What a bullshit.

"Dammit."

Artorius gritted his teeth.

Actually, if he thought about it for a moment, he could figure out the meaning behind Romulus's words.

When he said 'father', most likely, he was referring to his own father, the God of War, Mars. One of Rome's three main gods.

In Rome's regular sacrifices, Jupiter was honored three times a year, while Mars was honored once. But because Mars was also the God of War, there were additional sacrifices every time Rome went to war. After the war ended, there would be another sacrifice.

If it were a typical Mediterranean city-state, it wouldn't be tolerable. But in Rome, a civilization obsessed with war, everyone knew that out of ten years, nine were spent in war. Therefore, sacrifices to Mars often exceeded those to Jupiter. Moreover, during times of war, Mars's status naturally rose. Small-scale sacrifices or private ones also increased.

So, Mars's position in ancient Rome often surpassed that of the King of God, Jupiter.

'Is this related to Mars again? The Machine God?'

Artorius couldn't help but furrow his brow.

The time he reincarnated to Nasuverse wasn't ideal; the game at that time had just entered the Atlantic Lostbelt. He only roughly followed the plot from some conversations among FGO players.

Of course, as an FGO player, even if he hadn't played the new story yet, he wouldn't mind spoilers.

What he knew now was only a few things, such as Chaldea eventually winning. Romulus helped Chaldea in the battle against the Greek Gods with considerable effort.

Most importantly, the Romulus who helped Chaldea in that battle wasn't the current Romulus that Artorius battled earlier. It was Romulus-Quirinus, another of Rome's three main gods, who was deified after Romulus's death. A powerhouse with overwhelming strength and status.

'I'm lacking information...' Artorius pondered. 'And in the current timeline, I can't be sure if the Greek Gods are indeed the Machine Gods...'

'What's really going on here...'

After pondering for a moment, Artorius couldn't grasp the situation. Eventually, he decided to stop dwelling on it.

'Let's leave it at that for now... Anyway, everything seems to be in my favor at the moment.'

The recorded history of the 'Age of Electricity' in the New Human History was coming to an end.

With the development and research of large-scale integrated circuits and various types of chips, the technological level of the New Human History had reached the level of the early 21st century in the original timeline, not the highly imbalanced world it used to be.

It wasn't the chaotic world where developed countries exploited others, treating developing nations as economic colonies. It wasn't a world where hegemonic nations acted recklessly, and the bourgeoisie had free rein. It wasn't a world where the majority of countries and regions were engulfed in war and poverty.

The world of New Human History was one where 'all regions reached the 21st century, and the average standard of living in developed areas' was achieved.

In terms of productivity, the 17th century in the New Human History was five times, if not more, advanced than the 21st century in the Proper Human History.

'The mission of the Age of Electricity has also been completed. The future era is up next... The future, huh?'

With this thought in mind, Artorius in his dragon form transformed back into the magnificent and handsome Dragon Emperor. With anticipation for the future, he headed toward the direction of the Demon God.

It was time to settle the score with Lev Lainur Flauros.

===

When the resounding roar of the dragon echoed through the sky, everyone knew who had ultimately emerged victorious.

The Dragon Emperor of the Pendragonius Empire, representing the future and the correct path of human development, defeated the once revered god of Rome, securing triumph in this war.

"It's Emperor Artorius! Emperor Artorius won!"

"Hail to the Great Dragon Emperor, Long live Artorius Pendragon!"

"We've won! Rome will be united once again, unified under the divine rule of Emperor Artorius!"

"A new Rome is born under his reign! He is a living god, the incarnation of the God of War Mars!"

Every Roman, whether they were soldiers, civilians, farmers, artisans, merchants, or officials—everyone, at that moment, received the news of the victory of the Dragon Emperor.

At that moment, the prestige of the Dragon Emperor soared to unparalleled heights. Everyone cheered, everyone anticipated a new golden age for Rome under the rule of the Dragon Emperor.

Of course, there were also some people whose feelings were more complex when facing the Dragon Emperor.

Like a certain 'Umu' Emperor, Nero.

Her emotions were quite complicated.

Beyond joy, there was also a sense of loss and unwillingness.

===

Meanwhile, Artorius appeared before the Demon God.

"Why?! Why do you want to stop us?!"

Flauros turned its gaze towards Artorius.

Though it was a monstrous creature with an unusual head and an excessive number of eyes, Artorius could still sense that it was 'looking at him'.

Looking at him and blaming him for meddling.

Artorius didn't need to explain anything to it, nor did he have any intention of engaging in conversation. There's no point in wasting time; just eliminate it directly.

"The so-called humans are nothing but trash. All humans are garbage, completely devoid of any need for redemption! Great beings like us only need to—ugh..."

After its defeat, this Demon God seemed ready to convince Artorius not to oppose him with verbal attacks.

Unfortunately, listening to this fool speak, Artorius didn't even feel the desire to laugh.

Didn't want to exchange even half a word with it.

Artorius didn't want to say a word. However, there was one thing he felt he should make clear to this fool.

"Indeed, it's very pitiful."

"…?"

"But your logic is completely naive."

"Clearly, humans have caused countless destructive disasters and persecutions in the world. Massacres in every corner of the world, human experiments, and numerous atrocities surpassing the limits of humanity..."

"You turn a blind eye to all that, thinking humans can be saved. Yet, after witnessing the Pseudo-Servant experiments, you believe humanity should be exterminated. Just because you personally witnessed it, while the worse-than-those Pseudo-Servant experiments are merely hearsay. Does that lead to a different judgment in your mind?"

"Why? Why should the fate of humanity be entrusted to a confused fool like you?"

"Just because you think like that, humanity should be exterminated? Who do you think you are?"

"?!"

Artorius's statement surprised and confused Flauros. After understanding his logic, it turned into a rage.

That was Artorius's judgment of humanity from his perspective. Confirming how nonsense Flauros's idea of how humanity should be exterminated just because it witnessed those Pseudo-Servant experiments with its own eyes while ignoring even more cruel atrocities merely based on hearsay.

But that was tantamount to denying the very existence of the Demon God Pillars.

Yet, Flauros didn't have any compelling reasons to counter Artorius. Deep down, it even felt that his words were oddly reasonable?!

"You bastard!"

The result of hurling such insults was impotent rage, followed by a readiness to resolve the issue through force.

But Flauros tragically discovered that it not only couldn't outtalk Artorius, but it also couldn't outfight him.

As the frosty silver lance slammed toward Flauros, all the magecraft, magic, concepts, and power possessed by it were rendered null and void.

The lance, representing the concepts that encompass 'Humanity', obliterated everything. It could only face its destruction in despair and impotent rage.

"THE KING WILL AVENGE ME—!!!"

After uttering that defeated declaration, Flauros was slain, reduced to ashes, and vanished without a trace.

"..."

"Well done." A woman's voice resounded as Scathach landed beside Artorius. "But, this lance... where did it come from?"

"Just a spur of the moment." Artorius replied somewhat mysteriously. "It just came naturally."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah." Artorius nodded casually.

"Alright then."

After saying that, Scathach hugged him around the neck.

"Well done, my boy." She praised him, then went straight for a kiss without hesitation. "We should figure out a way to celebrate properly."

Scathach looked at Artorius with a gaze full of vigor and eagerness.

"I'm all ears, Teacher."

"Fufu..."

Satisfied, Scathach expressed herself with a grin.