[FMMIKA] Chapter 317: I Will be with You

With the death of Alexander, his generals and governors deployed across the world, as well as his armies slowly crumbled.

"King, defeated, huh?"

"The world, and us, will find redemption because of this?"

"It's over, everything is over."

Every subordinate of Alexander gazed at the sky and muttered with relief.

'That guy, being able to do this is normal, but...' Watching the army disappear bit by bit, Scathach muttered inwardly and instinctively looked northeast, in the direction of Artorius.

"Oh-ho! Scathach, the best in the world!"

Not far behind her, Ritsuka in cheerleader attire, her legs kicking high, waving a plastic ball. This was one of the aftereffects of being trained by Scathach.

'But really, those fellows did an impressive job. Should I say, worthy of being the strongest pantheon?'

Before the influence of extraterrestrial, cosmic-level gods reached Earth, in the war of the gods on the ground, it was the Greek gods who laughed last.

They defeated almost all other pantheons around the Mediterranean, establishing supreme power and status, maintaining that power until the decline of the Age of Gods.

'Compared to that, the Celtic gods are too straightforward or too naive, perhaps?' Scathach couldn't help but reflect. 'In terms of power, the Celtic gods would never lose, but...'

Scathach shook her head somewhat helplessly. At the same time, Ptolemy and his Egyptian army had completely disappeared.

Including the royal guards, elite archers from Nubia, and Galatians hired from Anatolia. The remaining Egyptian forces fell into chaos and quickly surrendered after the Roman army attacked.

Similar events unfolded in other regions of the Macedonian, whether it was Persia or India. Those who Artorius's Roman Empire had conquered quickly surrendered, while areas that hadn't been reached fell into chaos and civil war—such as all the regions east of the Iranian plateau.

Artorius took control of the fertile land of Mesopotamia and established defensive lines at several mountain passes on the Iranian plateau. For now, Europe and the West were more critical; let the other regions do as they pleased. After all, they couldn't escape his grasp.

Thus, this war transformed Artorius's empire into the shape of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Funnily, the emperor who once established the Western Roman Empire in his timeline had become the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire in this Singularity.

===

"Man, what a tiring day. But hey, at least we've got the whole Eastern Empire in the bag. From today onwards, I'm the Emperor of the Eastern Empire~"

On the way back to the New Roman Empire, Ritsuka mumbled happily in delusion.

"But seriously, Senpai, you didn't do anything." Mash's tone was casual. "Just hopping around in the back. If it were a sports event, maybe cheerleading would have some use. But this is war, so you're useless."

"What about you?! Little Eggplant, do you think you're something special?! Going into battle in that sexy outfit, don't you feel embarrassed?"

"Not at all. And this isn't my battle attire; it's just casual wear. I make sure to wear Frostsilver armor when heading into battle."

"Casual wear won't cut it!"

===

"Such energetic kids."

Meanwhile, in the captain's room, Artorius and Scathach played chess and discussed matters.

"Envious, Teacher? Wanna join in?" Artorius suggested half-jokingly, noting Scathach's somewhat envious expression.

"Me? Forget it then." Scathach shook her head.

Artorius, considering making a joke about age, thought better of it to avoid any unintended consequences.

"What's next? What should we do?" Scathach continued. "The New Human History, the Steam chapter is done and the Electricity chapter is almost complete. The next step is probably the Internet chapter, right? Controlled nuclear fusion, limitless energy, new materials, space technology, aerospace, space colonization...?"

"Yes, indeed..." Artorius nodded. "But our mission in this world isn't over."

"Not over... you're attached to that little girl, aren't you?"

Scathach was referring to Nero.

"According to recent intel, she's doing well. With the abundant material support we provided, logistics stabilized, and the morale of the people is high. She also gained four more Servants... truly, she seems to be the chosen one. Even the Servants sent by the Counter Force to restore the human order have gathered under her command. So, even without your intervention, that little girl can probably set things right on her own, thanks to her own strength, right?"

"Probably not..." Artorius shook his head. "Though Nero may have her strengths, defeating someone like that Lev is a tall order. It's better if we lend a hand."

"If you say so, then I'll follow your lead."

"Also, Teacher..."

"...?"

"Don't you have anything else to say?" Artorius looked at her seriously and asked calmly.

"That girl seems to have a bit of Stockholm Syndrome... is that what it's called?" Scathach responded and raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not talking about that." Artorius shook his head.

"Mash is a good girl."

"Not that either."

Artorius put down the chess piece and leaned a bit closer to Scathach. "Teacher, do you have nothing to say about 'Alexander'?"

"He was killed by you. Whether it was his magnificent first half of life or his later years filled with tyranny and madness, everything returns to dust and soil. What more is there to say?" Scathach asked calmly.

"There is, of course." Artorius said calmly. "What I want to say is—if one day, I were to become an emperor like him, what should I do?"

"You won't become like him. Your situation is entirely different from his."

"That's not what I'm asking, Teacher." Artorius shook his head. "I'm asking what to do, not whether it will happen."

"..."

Scathach fell into silence.

"I will let go before that happens." Seeing his teacher was silent, Artorius spoke again. "When humanity can live well, entering the space age. The strength, bravery, unity, equality, and legal system that I've cultivated... one day, humanity will be able to take care of itself. At that time, let's retire together, Teacher."

"..."

"Mhm. At that time, no matter where you go, I'll be with you."

Saying those words, Scathach nodded and held Artorius's hand.