[FMMIKA] Chapter 325: We Can't Get Married

"You have a way right?!"

Thinking about all of those problems, Nero looked at Artorius with pleading eyes. The gesture that made him quite pleased.

"My Rome is completely different from yours. My Rome is not just a city with vast colonies attached to it. It's an entire mutually beneficial economic entity."

Under Nero's hopeful gaze and somewhat defiant inquiries, Artorius vividly explained his Rome.

"How are they different? Tell me the specifics!"

Artorius noticed that Nero, despite trying to act aloof, never quite managed to pull it off. Whenever she got anxious, she would drop the 'cool emperor' persona, just like now.

Spotting her slight clumsiness only made him find her even more adorable.

So, he spread his arms wide as he explained in more detail.

"Firstly, in my Rome, there are no slaves. Everyone working is a free citizen. The people work for their own happiness."

"Furthermore, the empire's administrative governance is rooted at the basics level, within the villages. This organizational structure is more efficient than 'laissez-faire', with the owner of large estates exploiting slaves."

"The empire is a highly centralized state. Its systems, laws, culture, and identity, everything is aimed at establishing a unified market with a perfect internal economic cycle."

"This market, this economic system, isn't designed to benefit specific classes. Instead, it seeks overall progress and development."

"Meanwhile, the economic model of your Rome is built on the exploitation of slaves, self-farming peasants, free citizens, and foreigners. It aimed to squeeze more profits to supply the Roman nobles and their allies worldwide for their extravagance. It's an economic model of exploitation, preying on the lower classes."

"While my Rome's economic model aims to develop new points of economic growth. Develop lands, mines, plantations, factories, and companies. Invent and innovate, then have the government ensure efficiency and fairness, maintaining the people's well-being and stability. Ensuring the entire economic system moves forward healthily."

"It's an outward-looking, win-win economic model."

"That's the fundamental difference between our Rome."

"..."

Listening to Artorius, Nero revealed a dreamy expression. Then came disappointment, followed by a profound sense of loss and dissatisfaction.

"Are you kidding me?"

Nero said with a conflicted expression.

"How can something like this exist in the world?"

"The nobles won't accept it."

"The slave masters won't accept it."

"The Roman senate and even the Roman citizens won't accept it."

"Their power is enough to make a Roman Emperor a beggar or turn a hundred Roman Emperors into minced meat."

"So—"

"—So in my Rome, such a thing doesn't exist." Artorius interrupted her. "Shameless people do exist. Exploitation and oppression still exist to some extent. Simply because of human nature, humans need motivation, they need a better life than the 'average'. So there has to be a competitive mechanism. But all of this is under my control, under the empire's control."

"This requires a lot of exceptionally skilled administrative officials, right?" Nero continued to ask. "How do you obtain them?"

"Universal education, relying on papermaking, printing, and compulsory education." Artorius explained these terms to Nero, who couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

However, she quickly came up with a new question.

"Even so, how can you ensure that your government, your officials won't be bribed, corrupted, and ultimately become a part of them?"

"By the system, by supervision, by law. By propaganda, by ideological education." Artorius calmly replied. However, this time his answer didn't convince Nero as it did before; she felt his words were too unattainable.

'Can officials and the government really stay clean and serve the public just with these things? At least to a certain extent?'

Nero, who had little trust in human nature, completely disbelieved such a possibility. However, before she could voice her denial, Artorius stated the reasons that he was sure she would believe.

"Artificial humans and magecraft."

"I see! Umu! Umu!" Nero finally nodded happily, completely acknowledging Artorius's explanation. Her gaze toward him became even more intense.

Apart from admiration for him and a sense of envy, there was another kind of desire. And a bit of shyness.

"So..." Artorius looked at Nero with a somewhat proud expression. "Any more questions you need me to explain?"

"None~" Nero answered happily. After saying that, even before he could bring up the next topic, she jumped into his arms. "Artorius, you naughty guy~ such a bad guy~ Is this how you want to become my co-ruler~? Using this kind of thing to tempt me~? In that case, I have no reason to veto or disapprove you anymore. Bad~ guy, bad guy, bad guy~"

Like a young girl coquettishly talking to her boyfriend. While continuously saying those words, Nero used her small fists to pound on Artorius's chest playfully.

"Nero?" Artorius was bewildered.

"So, when should we have the wedding?"

Continuing, Nero looked at Artorius with sparkling eyes, expectant yet shy.

"I think, the sooner, the better. Although we still have to launch an attack on the capital of the United Roman Empire in the next steps. But compared to what you said, they are not such a big deal. So, let's get married first—get married, and then launch the final blow against United Roman! I can't wait anymore—let's go, now, to the temple. Ask those priests to calculate when the nearest auspicious day is from now!"

"Um, Nero..."

Listening to Nero, Artorius finally understood completely. She had completely misunderstood his words.

Her logic was based on the premise that he wanted to marry her. Because to marry her, he would become her husband, and in the Roman way, that meant becoming a co-ruling emperor.

It was very difficult, and they would undoubtedly encounter many obstacles. Even Nero herself wasn't fully prepared for it.

But, with Artorius saying all this, she had to accept him—she herself had no ability to do what he said. So, she had to rely on his strength.

Only by accepting him, only by him becoming the emperor of her Rome, could he transfer the political essence of his Rome to her Rome. This would lead to a storm-like reform for the people of her Rome, ultimately allowing them to live a good life like in his Rome.

As someone who loved Rome more than anything else, and as someone who loved Artorius, believing he was the most outstanding man in the world, worthy of her, Nero would make this decision and express such enthusiasm.

"..."

After understanding all of this, Artorius's gaze toward Nero became somewhat complicated.

Because she had misunderstood his intentions.

He didn't want to marry Nero. At least, not marry the current Nero.

So...

"Nero."

Watching the whimsical Nero happily nestled in his arms, behaving as adorable as a pet, Artorius spoke to her in a gentle tone.

"In fact, even if you don't marry me, I will still bring all this to Rome."

"I know, I know~ Because Artorius is the gift bestowed upon Rome by the gods~ Also a gift bestowed upon me~"

Nero responded cheerfully to his words.

"And, Artorius, when you say sweet things to me in the future, can you make it more ordinary? Although it's charming for an emperor to mix romance with state affairs, I am, beyond being an emperor, still a cute, unparalleled beauty in the world~"

"Pamper me, praise me, love me in the way you would adore an unparalleled beauty in the world~ Of course, I will treat you the same way—my one and only, unparalleled handsome man in the world~"

As she spoke those words, Nero's gaze towards Artorius was filled with affection. This overflowing affection seemed like it was about to be released more intensely very soon.

Being an emotional person, Nero had made up her mind and didn't mind the lack of an immediate wedding. She was ready to proceed with the 'act'.

Thus, with a blushing face, a pounding heart, and quickened breath, she was on the brink of a passionate encounter.

However...

"No."

Though Artorius felt a bit regretful, he firmly refused her advances. In the face of her surprised, wide-eyed gaze, he explained.

"We can't get married."

"Because I am not from this time."

"But don't worry, this is only temporary, Nero. My love for you won't change, and my commitment to Rome remains unwavering."